Trent Alexander-Arnold Exits Liverpool: 5 Possible Replacements

What we heard from the grapevine has finally been confirmed. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool will be parting ways at the end of the season. The grapevine also had it that the England international would be swapping Merseyside for Madrid, joining the reigning Champions League titleholders. As we await confirmation of Alexander-Arnold’s destination in the summer, let’s ponder some possible candidates for that right-wing-back role. 

Conor Bradley

The Northern Ireland international started his professional career at Anfield as a 16-year-old and has been steadily working through the ranks. His journey to the Liverpool first team has taken him through the youth academy and a productive loan spell at Bolton Wanderers. The second half of last season is when Bradley finally got a chance to prove himself to then-Manager Jurgen Klopp. He seized it with both hands, putting in a man-of-the-match performance against Chelsea in a 4-1 win.

Incoming Coach Arne Slot has repeatedly called upon the number 84 to fill in for Alexander-Arnold, more so as rumors of his departure gathered momentum. Bradley’s strength in defense was highlighted by his thunderous, yet legal, tackle on Kylian Mbappé in the Champions League. But he has plenty of work to do if he’s to emulate Alexander-Arnold’s offensive exploits.

Pedro Porro

It’s no secret Tottenham Hotspurs have endured an abysmal season. If they fail to win the Europa League, it could end trophyless and sans European football until 2026. With this bleak future in view, top clubs are circling over Spurs’ prized players, including their Argentine fullback. Like his teammates, Porro’s form has been patchy this season, having suffered a blow to his confidence.

But the qualities of Spurs’ number 23 are well known. He is as tenacious in defense as he is zealous in supporting attacks. He has the stamina and precision for both roles. In Liverpool, he will have the companionship of compatriot Alexis McAllister and the guidance of a proven Premier League-winning coach.

Ola Aina

Nottingham Forest’s season has been the opposite of Spurs’. Written off as candidates for relegation by some pundits at the beginning of the season, Forest has defied the odds. They are in strong contention to play in the Champions League next season. One of the keys to their success has been the performances of Nigerian right-back Ola Aina. He has proven himself a formidable force in one-on-one situations and is among the EPL defenders most comfortable with the ball at their feet.

Playing under Antonio Conte, albeit briefly, at Chelsea would have sharpened Aina defensively. Nuno Espírito Santo can be credited with improving his ability on the ball. Perhaps the quality Slot would admire the most in the fullback is his consistency. He has played 31 of Forest’s 34 games with barely any injury issues. He will need to up his goal contribution numbers, though, if he’s to fill in TAA’s boots. 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the England fullback has been reborn at West Ham United. The Hammers have barely escaped relegation and have massively under-achieved vis-à-vis the talent on their roster. But Wan-Bissaka has acquitted himself rather well. His credentials as a defender were never in dispute, going back to his Manchester United days. But he seems to get more and more comfortable on the ball and accurate with his passing with every Hammers appearance.

Further polishing will undoubtedly be required if AWB is to achieve Alexander-Arnold’s level as a Red. Slot will need to work on Bissaka’s decision-making and delivery in the final third, but with three assists so far this season, he’s not far from the finished article.

Jeremie Frimpong

If he’s to make it through Slot’s shortlist, the Bayer Leverkusen wingback will be the Liverpool manager’s biggest gamble. Frimpong did hone his craft in the Manchester City youth system but his six years as a professional have been spent away from England. They have been very productive years, nonetheless. He’s won six trophies in this period, most notably the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal last season. 

Frimpong’s reputation as an attacker precedes him; this season, he has registered four goals and five assists. Does Slot think highly enough of his defensive abilities to put him ahead of proven EPL right-backs in the queue to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold? 

Hit the Ground Running

All the signs point to a busy transfer window for Liverpool FC this summer. Besides Alexander-Arnold, several other first-team players, including fellow fullback Andrew Robertson, are expected to leave Anfield. Their replacements will be expected to hit the ground running and help the Reds retain their title.