Bayer Leverkusen’s flying Dutchman, a Moroccan speedster and two Spurs stars: EIGHT Liverpool choices to switch Trent Alexander-Arnold as he nears Real Madrid transfer
- Alexander-Arnold looks set to leave boyhood club for Real Madrid this summer
- Reds have tough task of replacing one of the most unique footballers in world
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Is England’s squad good enough to win the World Cup?
As Trent Alexander-Arnold’s dramatic end-of-contract move to Real Madrid looms ever closer, Liverpool need to quickly figure out who is going to replace their start right back come the end of the season.
Real Madrid have been keen on Alexander-Arnold as a long-term replacement for Dani Carvajal, with reports this week claiming Los Blancos have sent a contract proposal to Alexander-Arnold.
The importance of the Liverpool academy product cannot be underestimated. He has contributed three goals and seven assists across all competitions for Liverpool this season.
His unparalleled creativity is shown in his league-best total of 13 big chances created.
Liverpool has two options: Buy a proven right back or invest in a defender for the future, a dilemma which will trouble Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to leave his boyhood club this summer for Real Madrid
The 26-year-old’s defensive qualities have long been called into question but there are no doubts about his creative contribution
Arne Slot will need to figure out how to replace one of the most unique players in world football
Option 1: Buy a proven right back
Achraf Hakimi – PSG
Perhaps the answer to Liverpool’s future vacancy is buying one of the best in the business in the current footballing world.
According to Sofascore, Hakimi’s 7.70 rating is marginally better than Alexander-Arnold (7.24), reinforcing his claim to be considered as one of the best around.
The Moroccan has been performing at the top level for numerous seasons now and has led his national side to a historic World Cup semi-final in 2022.
Surprisingly, the 26-year-old outperforms Alexander-Arnold from an attacking perspective, scoring five goals and assisting eleven times while creating two more big chances than the Scouse defender.
Interestingly, he balances his superb attacking play with better defensive stats, registering 6.1 ball recoveries per 90, two more than Alexander-Arnold.
The one issue for Liverpool will be his price tag as, with his contract running until 2029, PSG will demand an astronomical sum to part with one of the totems of their new project.
Achraf Hakimi’s statistics this season stack up very favourably against Trent Alexander-Arnold
Jonathan Clauss – Nice
The Frenchman has been a solid performer for the past five seasons in Ligue 1 with Lens, Marseille and now Nice.
He surpasses Alexander-Arnold for accurate crosses, finding his target 27 per cent of the time compared to Alexander-Arnold’s 24 per cent.
However, as Liverpool look to revitalise their squad and lower the average age, the 32-year-old is beginning to leave his prime and would probably only be best to bring in on a short-term deal.
Jonathan Clauss has been a solid performer for the past five seasons in Ligue 1 with Lens, Marseille and Nice
Pedro Porro – Tottenham Hotspur
The Spaniard has been struggling to get minutes of late for Spurs with the return of Destiny Udogie and the breakout of Djed Spence. This has prompted chatter of a possible move in the summer.
The 25-year-old’s inconsistency has alarmed Spurs fans as he eagerly pushes on in attack in sacrifice of his defensive duties which seems to be the undoing of Spurs of late.
Yet, his 8.3 final third entries per 90, whilst below Alexander-Arnold’s 11.1, suggests he would be well-equipped for making the bursting runs Slot requires from his right back.
Spanish international Pedro Porro has struggled for gametime at Tottenham of late thanks, in part, to the emergence of Djed Spence
Giovanni di Lorenzo – Napoli
Challenging Pedro Porro’s final third entries (7.2), Di Lorenzo has been a dependable performer for Napoli for the past six seasons.
The 31-year-old is an Italian international, competing for them on the global stage, demonstrating that he would seamlessly transition into Liverpool’s demanding culture.
But his crossing is not good enough. Di Lorenzo has delivered only 17 per cent accurate crosses this season, below par for Liverpool’s play style.
Giovanni di Lorenzo (blue) has been a dependable performer for Napoli for the past six seasons
Jeremie Frimpong – Bayer Leverkusen
The most likely to move to Liverpool many pundits would say, Jeremie Frimpong is one of the hottest footballing prospects in the world right now.
At 24-years-old, the Dutchman has a bright future ahead of him but he’s already attracting interest from European giants after his his outstanding performances for Bayer Leverkusen.
His attacking output beats Alexander-Arnold this season with four goals and nine assists in a Xabi Alonso system where he is given license to bomb forward.
Videos of him greeting Ryan Gravenberch during the international break in a Scouse accent has also fuelled rumours of a move to Merseyside.
Although, Sofascore’s 6.87 rating places him as the worst performing player on the list because he often loses the ball due to his attacking approach.
The most likely to move to Liverpool many pundits would say, Jeremie Frimpong is one of the hottest footballing prospects in the world
Conor Bradley has emerged as the perfect successor to Alexander-Arnold over the last couple of years
Option two: invest in long-term potential
Liverpool fans and pundits alike may argue that the Reds already have a successor at right back with Conor Bradley.
The Northern Ireland international first burst onto the scene in Alexander-Arnold’s absence through injury in the 2023-24 season and proved himself as a capable back up.
The 21-year-old is not by any means the finished article, underperforming in the attacking department, assisting just twice in 22 matches.
Vanderson – Monaco
An intriguing option could be Brazilian Vanderson who has become a promising right back since his move to Monaco from Gremio.
According to Sofascore, his 7.13 rating is better than Bradley’s 6.78, indicating his future upwards trajectory.
Two goals and four assists in 34 matches show his potential on the attacking front, including 6.2 final third entries.
Defensively, the 23-year-old’s 5.6 ball recoveries per 90 topples Alexander-Arnold, suggesting he could be a viable option to add to the successful list of Brazilians who have played for the Reds.
Vanderson (left) has become a promising right back since his move to Monaco from Gremio
Djed Spence – Tottenham Hotspur
Quietly rising the ranks after being cast aside under previous managers, Djed Spence is an excellent prospect.
Possessing the ability to play left or right and comfortable going forward and defending, the Englishman has been one of Spurs’ best players this season despite only playing 24 games.
Notably, his 30 per cent crossing accuracy is higher than Alexander-Arnold’s, which would be a vital weapon for Slot.
Valued at around £13m by Transfermarkt, if Liverpool wanted to make the move, they could acquire the Englishman on the cheap if Daniel Levy plays ball.
Djed Spence has finally go this time in the spotlight after being shunned by a succession of Tottenham managers
At only 22-years-old, Guela Doue has already established himself as a starter in the French side RC Strasbourg
Guela Doue – RC Strasbourg
Brother to PSG’s Desire Doue, the right back boasts promising footballing pedigree.
At only 22-years-old, Doue has already established himself as a starter in the French side, proficient both offensively and defensively.
His 9.0 final third entries per 90 and 5.4 ball recoveries per 90 demonstrate his all-round ability, prevailing over Bradley’s statistics.
