According to Spanish sources, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly set to sign a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid, meaning the star can sign for the club on a free transfer at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Whether or not the rumored transfer will even happen is still up in the air, and according to Liverpool-based journalist James Pearce of The Athletic, both camps are telling different stories. Sources close to Real Madrid insist the Englishman’s signature is all but signed. In contrast, Liverpool sources suggest that the player has not spoken to any other club in a formal capacity and is still working on agreeing a new deal at the club.
Regardless, should Real Madrid acquire their target, Liverpool will be left with just one right-back in the squad, Connor Bradley. While center-back Joe Gomez has the capability to play in that position, he is often injury-prone and is often better in his natural position. Fellow CB Jarrell Quansah has also been featured as a right-back this season under manager Arne Slot.
Alexander-Arnold is a unique defender as he often dynamically plays as a midfielder. He will drift into midfield and supply line-breaking passes to his teammates. He has created the most chances as a defender in the Top 5 leagues for multiple seasons running. This begs the question: how will Liverpool replace him — if at all?
The fact of the matter is you simply cannot replace Alexander-Arnold. He is a key member of a team that won every trophy available and is known for being one of the most creative defenders in history, supplying 84 assists in 333 appearances. Bradley has proven to be a reliable back-up right back for the Reds, as he put in a man of the match performance this season against, who else, Real Madrid in the Champions League. While he is not quite the dynamic passer that Trent is, he has proven that he is more than ready to step up to the first team, if needed.
Should Liverpool insist on proceeding with Bradley as the new #1 right back, they will surely need to add reinforcements as backup. Liverpool is also heavily rumored to be in the market for a new left-back and center-back, meaning their defensive personnel may have a very different look this time next season. Rumored names range from Bournemouth’s Milan Kerkez, Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, and Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies among many others. Liverpool owners FSG (Fenway Sports Group) have made a net profit in the last summer transfer window, suggesting they may have cash to burn.
That leaves the other elephants in the room: Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
The Athletic reported in December that the two players have received contract offers from Liverpool. It is suggested that they are more likely to re-sign with the club than Alexander-Arnold. According to Pearce, both players “prefer to stay at Anfield”.
