Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer after confirming he will leave the Reds at the end of the season in a statement on Monday
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future has finally been resolved after months of speculation, as he confirmed he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season. The England international has been associated with the Reds ever since he joined the club as a schoolboy 21 years ago, but he made it clear in his departing statement that he is keen on a new challenge.
He said: “I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.”
Liverpool must now decide whether to sign a direct replacement for Alexander-Arnold or place its trust in Conor Bradley to step up. Here are three possible routes Liverpool could go down when it comes to replacing Alexander-Arnold
Jeremie Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong’s name has been mentioned more than any other when it has come to naming possible replacements for Alexander-Arnold. Frimpong has emerged as one of the best wing-backs in the world since moving to Bayer Leverkusen in January 2021, playing a key role in the club’s incredible 2023-24 season, when the team came within one game of going unbeaten in all competitions all season and winning a treble.
This season, he has often played in a more advanced position for his club, while his most common position when representing the Netherlands is as a right winger. So, while the expectation is that he would replace Alexander-Arnold in Liverpool’s team, there is also the possibility that he would provide Arne Slot with an extra option in attack as well
Arne Slot has reportedly been in touch with fellow Dutchman Frimpong, speaking to him on the phone, exchanging text messages, and generally make it clear that he wants the 24-year-old to move to Anfield
There is a strong Dutch contingent in Liverpool’s squad with Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch and Virgil can DIjk, and Frimpong could be the next man through the door
Ola Aina
Ola Aina has been one of the Premier League’s standout full-backs this season, starring for a Nottingham Forest side that could qualify for the Champions League.
The Nigeria international’s contract was due to expire this summer, but a clause in the deal meant that a one-year extension was triggered once it was confirmed that Forest wouldn’t be relegated from the Premier League season.
With that being the case, Liverpool is unlikely to move for Aina considering his age: he will turn 29 this year and Liverpool’s transfer policy dictates that the club prioritizes signing players in their mid-20s and below
Conor Bradley
Promoting Bradley to the role of first-choice right-back would likely involve Liverpool also signing a lower-profile player than the likes of Frimpong and Aina, in order to provide competition and back-up for the Northern Irishman
radley has impressed when he has played for the Reds and the signs are all there that he has what it takes to fill Alexander-Arnold’s large boots.
He is a different type of player to the England international but has all the traits required to make a top full-back, and is effective in attack too, albeint in a slightly different way to Alexander-Arnold.
It would be a bold move for Slot to trust Bradley — particularly considering his poor injury record this season — but Liverpool might have to cut its cloth accordingly regarding how it goes about replacing Alexander-Arnold, considering the Reds aren’t going to get a fee for him