The Reds academy graduate has finally confirmed he will depart Anfield at the end of the season, and attentions will now turn to finding his successor
The worst-kept secret in football is out: Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season. The second worst-kept secret, that he will join Real Madrid on a free transfer, will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Once the dust settles and the initial bitterness surrounding the academy graduate's agonisingly unprofitable exit subsides, attentions at Anfield will turn to finding an able replacement to one of the world's best creative full-backs.
Of course, that will not be an easy task, but Liverpool's newly-established status as the best team in England and the fact such a significant role at one of the biggest clubs in the world is more or less vacant should mean that they have the pick of the best talent on the market.
GOAL, then, has nine potential options for Arne Slot's side…
Getty Images SportOla Aina
If Liverpool want Premier League experience, Nottingham Forest favourite Ola Aina could well be an outsider for the role of Alexander-Arnold's replacement at Anfield, although his arrival might not be sufficient to appease a frustrated fanbase.
Aina has been one of Forest's standout performers this season (both on Snapchat and the pitch), contributing to their top-five push at both ends of the pitch, and with his contract expiring this summer he could be a shrewd option – perhaps someone who could be interchanged with Conor Bradley at the age of 28.
Whether the Nigeria international would be considered good enough to replace Trent in the long-term, though, remains to be seen – especially for a club that will be defending its Premier League crown.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportConor Bradley
How much do Liverpool trust Bradley? The true answer to that question is going to become much clearer in the coming months as the club prepares for life without Alexander-Arnold.
The options are pretty binary: either go out and spend big or back the 21-year-old academy graduate to come good on the significant potential he has shown since making a breakthrough last season.
Bradley could certainly grow into the role, but there are signs Slot isn't fully convinced just yet, and injuries have hampered his progress somewhat. He will be determined to make the position his own in pre-season.
Getty ImagesAndrea Cambiaso
Predominantly a left-back so far in his career, Juventus' Andrea Cambiaso is equally adept on the opposite flank, and – like Alexander-Arnold – he likes to invert. The versatile 25-year-old has played in virtually every position in the wide areas this season, on both flanks.
"Maybe I have uncommon skills for a wide player, as I like moving inside," he previously told . "And I don't know if I'm better on the right or left. I've talked about it with my coaches without coming to any conclusion. I'm good, it seems, on both sides."
Strong both defensively and going forward, Cambiaso has already been linked with Liverpool, but the Reds would face stiff competition from Manchester City, who came very close to signing the Italy international in January. He would be the most costly signing on this list at around £38 million ($51m).
Getty ImagesDodo
Another Serie A full-back who has now been linked with Liverpool is Fiorentina's Dodo. Pacey and with an eye for a pass, the Brazilian has a similar profile to Man City loanee Kyle Walker – often bombing forwards and relying on his eye-catching recovery pace to make up ground defensively.
The 26-year-old would certainly suit Liverpool's cut-and-thrust style, but there would be question marks over whether he would be able to match the physical demands of the Premier League. One potential boon, though, is that Dodo would probably come significantly cheaper than some others on this list if the Reds find themselves priced out in their bid to remedy a very obvious area of need.
