2024/25 has the potential to be nothing in need of magical for Liverpool, but the highs of a trophy-laden marketing campaign might dissipate considerably in the summertime.
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold all have contract conditions in want of resolving. Whereas optimistic supporters will hope the triumvirate commit their futures to Anfield, there is a very actual risk that Arne Slot will head into 2025/26 with out not less than one talismanic determine.
The most probably to depart is Alexander-Arnold.
A revolutionary full-back who has gained the lot together with his boyhood membership, Liverpool supporters absolutely cannot begrudge their homegrown celebrity succumbing to the attract of Actual Madrid. What would you do when you had Jude Bellingham whispering candy nothings into your ear?
Changing such a novel footballer is an inconceivable job, but it is one that will fall on the doorstep of Michael Edwards as soon as Trent’s future turns into clear.
Listed below are 5 potential Alexander-Arnold replacements for Liverpool to contemplate.
Geertruida was Slot’s captain at Feyenoord, and there have been tenuous stories in the summertime that the brand new Liverpool boss was ‘set to convey’ the Dutch full-back with him to Anfield.
A transfer by no means materialised, although, and Geertruida as a substitute signed for RB Leipzig.
The 24-year-old has proven off his spectacular versatility in Saxony, with Marco Rose deploying him throughout Leipzig’s again 4. For Slot, Geertruida usually carried out a conservative right-back operate, however the supervisor would additionally encourage him to function infield the place he is actually confirmed himself to be snug.
Geertruida’s addition would drive Slot into a substantial dynamic shift given the participant’s contrasting profile to Alexander-Arnold, however the Liverpool boss could also be eager to reunite with a dependable acquainted face.
Kimmich has usually underwhelmed over the previous couple of years, however an argument might be made that his greatest run of type in current instances arrived when Thomas Tuchel returned him to right-back for the second half of 2023/24.
Vincent Kompany has allowed Kimmich to play in midfield, and the German has proven on a number of events this time period that he stays a particular footballer. His efficiency towards RB Leipzig simply earlier than the winter break was notably sensible and a reminder of the menace he provides as a playmaker from deep.
Kimmich might considerably make up for Trent’s departure in that sense, however provided that he’ll seemingly have a number of golf equipment at his doorstep as soon as his Bayern Munich contract expires in June, would he decide to play right-back for Liverpool? He needs to play in midfield.
Slot could must do some persuading as a result of the German could be an excellent substitute. He is not your typical Edwards signing, however Liverpool will want leaders in the event that they’re unable to retain their three musketeers.
It has been some time since Frimpong has performed in a again 4, with Slot unlikely to alter tack for the sake of the Dutchman. Nevertheless, there have been hyperlinks to the Bayer Leverkusen wing-back properly into 2024.
Frimpong starred for Xabi Alonso’s history-makers final season and has remained a mainstay down the correct flank this time period.
The wing-back is remarkably dynamic and a dependable final-third contributor, though he goes about his work in a markedly totally different strategy to Alexander-Arnold.
Frimpong is something however a silky playmaker from deep-lying positions. His greatest work arrives when he is getting on the overlap, combining with creators within the half-space and drilling balls throughout the field. The Dutchman can rating lots, too (14 targets in all competitions final season).
His skillset could be restricted significantly by enjoying Alexander-Arnold’s present position, however Slot would doubtlessly tinker together with his system to make sure Frimpong is getting loads of alternatives in superior positions.
Liverpool followers could scoff on the prospect of signing Porro, who has endured a tricky 2024/25 marketing campaign, however the Spaniard’s dip in type can largely be attributed to the sheer quantity of minutes he is been required to play over the previous 18 months.
There are stylistic similarities between Porro and Alexander-Arnold. The pair are excellent technicians able to unlocking defences by way of their supreme passing ranges, and there have, after all, been questions over their defensive capabilities. Porro, nonetheless, has maybe been harshly assessed on this regard, whereas Trent has largely defended properly in 2024/25 – dismal exhibiting towards Manchester United however.
Porro’s Premier League expertise counts for many, and if Liverpool are intent on changing their standout right-back with somebody of an analogous profile, the Spanish worldwide could also be their man.
Some Liverpool supporters would argue there is not any want for the membership to spend huge given the extent Bradley has reached stepping right into a senior position.
The academy graduate stuffed in beautifully for a protracted interval final season and has already starred on the largest phases for the Reds.
Bradley is a well-rounded full-back who excels in all phases. He is a far sterner defender than Trent and is superb when he ventures within the ultimate third. Bradley is extra of a runner and combiner versus a passer, however has nonetheless proved himself inside Slot’s present framework.
The 21-year-old appears able to fill any potential void, and Liverpool’s right-back search in the summertime could as a substitute give attention to supplying back-up for Bradley.
