Liverpool should plan for a future with out Trent Alexander-Arnold because the native lad edges nearer to becoming a member of Actual Madrid.
Whereas nonetheless to be finalised, it seems more and more inevitable that the the academy product will observe within the footsteps of Michael Owen and Steve McManaman in buying and selling the adoration of the Anfield crowd for the the glitz of the Santiago Bernabeu.
Alexander-Arnold will depart an infinite void upon his departure and fortunately Liverpool have already got a powerful deputy able to fill his footwear. Conor Bradley has repeatedly proven his capability to step as much as the plate and is probably going seen because the pure successor.
However for the needs of squad depth and wholesome competitors, Liverpool will undoubtedly look to signal a brand new right-back over the summer time interval, whether or not that is a ready-made substitute for Alexander-Arnold or a high-potential teenager.
Listed here are 5 right-backs Liverpool might realistically recruit.
Liverpool might use Alexander-Arnold’s exit as a possibility to signal a extra defensive-minded substitute, however ought to they seek for somebody able to changing the England worldwide’s distinctive attacking risk, then Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong will probably be among the many frontrunners.
The 24-year-old has established himself as one in every of Europe’s elite over latest seasons and was integral to Leverkusen’s astonishing home double final time period, offering 11 targets and ten assists within the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal. Few of his positional friends boast larger attacking high quality.
Nevertheless, Frimpong has thrived enjoying as a wing-back in Xabi Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 system, permitting him the liberty of the fitting flank with out as many defensive duties. He wouldn’t be afforded that luxurious in Arne Slot’s Liverpool setup.
Frimpong, who has even been used as a winger for Leverkusen and the Dutch nationwide staff, can be a dangerous addition given Liverpool’s present strategy regardless of his distinctive expertise.
Vanderson has quietly blossomed into a powerful right-back throughout a number of seasons with Monaco, usually conducting his enterprise out of the limelight. The 23-year-old has swiftly grown in significance for the Ligue 1 outfit since signing from Gremio in 2021/22.
The Brazilian, who now has 5 caps for the Selecao, is used to enjoying in a flat again 4 and has contributed often with targets and assists over latest years. He has two strikes and 4 assists to his title this time period – simply shy of Alexander-Arnold’s ten objective contributions – and has significantly impressed together with his distribution.
Vanderson boasts a move accuracy of 78% in Ligue 1 this season – increased than Alexander-Arnold’s 73.9% – and has higher medium and long-range passing completion than Liverpool’s No.66.
Teamed with a powerful defensive nous which has seen him win 71.7% of his tackles in Ligue 1 this time period, Vanderson affords the entire bundle.
Liverpool have been linked with turning to Slot’s former facet Feyenoord in the hunt for reinforcements, with 18-year-old Givairo Learn having dazzled since Lutsharel Geertruida’s departure final summer time. He is made 24 appearances in all competitions having made his senior debut below Slot final time period, offering seven assists since establishing himself because the Dutch facet’s main right-back.
The Reds have a cohort of Dutch gamers already – though Virgil van Dijk might depart Anfield this summer time – and Slot will likely be nicely conscious of the Feyenoord starlet’s immense potential.
Learn might show an economical possibility regardless of missing the expertise of his positional seniors and would maybe show the proper understudy to Bradley ought to the Northern Irishman be promoted to first-choice right-back for the Reds.
One other teenager seemingly destined for greatness has emerged from the expertise manufacturing unit of Porto, with Martim Fernandes having fun with an amazing breakout marketing campaign this 12 months. After making six appearances final season, the 19-year-old has greater than quadrupled that tally in 2024/25.
The speedy, offensive-minded full-back has confirmed a success on the Estadio do Dragao, managing 5 assists in 18 appearances within the Primeira Liga this time period. Porto have one of the best defensive report within the division, too, with Fernandes enjoying his half in a stern backline that concedes lower than a objective per recreation.
With spectacular technical capability and lengthy passing for such a younger participant, he may very well be a wonderful substitute for Alexander-Arnold within the long-term.
If Liverpool are looking for a extra established right-back, Jules Kounde might turn out to be a practical possibility. Whereas the Barcelona defender is incomes loads of minutes in Catalonia, La Blaugrana’s monetary state of affairs might power them to promote star expertise this summer time. There have even been studies suggesting that Kounde might depart ought to he not lengthen his present contract within the close to future.
The 26-year-old has lots of expertise enjoying on the elite stage and regardless of being heralded for his defensive prowess, he is additionally contributed to 11 targets for Barcelona this time period. The France worldwide is an all-rounder.
Able to enjoying centre-back as nicely, Kounde affords larger versatility than most, together with his one-v-one capability and physicality guaranteeing he is one in every of Europe’s standout right-backs.
The Barcelona man can be an costly addition and is totally totally different to Alexander-Arnold, however there will be no denying his high quality.