With reports indicating that Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to leave his boyhood club Liverpool for Real Madrid when his contract expires this summer, we explore how the Premier League side might fill the void left by their seemingly irreplaceable right-back.
If Liverpool secures the Premier League title—currently leading by 12 points with nine games to go—a grand celebration is expected on Merseyside in late May.
However, speculation surrounding Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid threatens to overshadow the club’s final stretch of the season. A local lad who has been part of Liverpool since the age of six and was appointed vice-captain last season leaving for the iconic white of Madrid would be a bitter pill to swallow, particularly given his unique skill set that few, if any, can replicate.
With 22 goals and an astonishing 86 assists in 349 appearances, Alexander-Arnold has redefined the right-back role with his extraordinary passing range.
This season, he leads Europe’s top five leagues in progressive passes (176) and passes into the final third (321), while ranking second among defenders for passes (including crosses) into the opposition’s penalty area (215).
If he does depart, how can Liverpool replace him? Here are some potential solutions.
Table of Contents
The Internal Solution: Can Conor Bradley Step Up?
Liverpool’s season has been filled with memorable moments, but arguably the loudest cheer Anfield has witnessed in 2024-25 had nothing to do with a goal. During a Champions League clash against Real Madrid in November, Conor Bradley’s fearless slide tackle on a runaway Kylian Mbappé—like a jungle cat pouncing on its prey—sparked a roar of pride and admiration from the home crowd.
The young Northern Irishman delivered an outstanding performance that night as Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory. Now, with Real Madrid potentially luring Alexander-Arnold away, Bradley might find himself with an even bigger opportunity—to fill the vacant right-back role on a more permanent basis.
The 21-year-old has made 22 appearances this season (nine starts) across all competitions, accumulating over 1,000 minutes before an injury sidelined him during February’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.
But is he truly ready to become Liverpool’s first-choice right-back at a club with such lofty ambitions?
It’s important to recognize that Bradley is a very different type of full-back compared to Alexander-Arnold. As seen in their respective heat maps, Bradley operates with fewer touches in attacking areas and doesn’t drift into central positions as often as Liverpool’s vice-captain.
While Alexander-Arnold thrives on controlling possession and dictating the game’s tempo like a midfielder, Bradley prefers making off-the-ball runs. This season in the Premier League, Alexander-Arnold has averaged 10.5 off-ball runs per 90 minutes, whereas Bradley has recorded 25.4. Similarly, Bradley outperforms him in runs into the opponent’s final third (10.9 to 4.7) and into the opposition’s box (6.9 to 2.2).
Bradley has also averaged 6.9 overlapping runs per 90 minutes, compared to Alexander-Arnold’s 2.7, indicating that Mohamed Salah—or whoever occupies Liverpool’s right-wing role next season—will have more frequent support on the outside.
Crucially, these runs aren’t just for the sake of movement. Bradley has made three off-ball runs directly challenging the backline this season, a figure bettered by only five right-backs in the league—all of whom have played at least 1,500 more minutes than him.
However, much depends on whether Slot wants this profile of a right-back. As we recently discussed, adding verticality to a team is becoming a common trend in the Premier League.
If the manager prioritizes elite distribution and creativity from the position, Bradley may not yet be the ideal solution. His open-play chances created per 90 (0.7) are half of Alexander-Arnold’s (1.4), while his open-play crosses per 90 (1.3) fall well short of Trent’s 3.4.
Defensively, both have similar tackle numbers per 90 (Alexander-Arnold 2.7, Bradley 2.6), but the England international leads in possession won (5.0 to 4.5) and interceptions (1.3 to 0.9).
That said, Bradley is still a developing talent. At just 21, consistent first-team football should help him refine his overall game.
Despite his youth, he has already captained Northern Ireland, with national team boss Michael O’Neill last summer highlighting his incredible attitude:
“We’ve got a really special young player who can only keep improving… His mindset might be his greatest strength—he just loves to play. He trains at maximum intensity, and I think that rubs off on the younger players.”
There are, however, concerns over his fitness. According to Transfermarkt, Bradley has suffered four separate injuries over the last two years, keeping him sidelined for roughly seven months in total. Whether Liverpool feels comfortable relying on him long-term remains an open question.
Jeremie Frimpong: A Ready-Made Replacement?
One of the first high-profile names linked with replacing Alexander-Arnold is Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong. The dynamic and pacey Dutchman has been a standout performer under Xabi Alonso, establishing himself as one of the most productive right-backs in world football.
That being said, calling him a ‘right-back’ is somewhat misleading.
In Alonso’s three-at-the-back system, Frimpong operates as a wing-back—emphasizing the ‘wing’ far more than the ‘back,’ as his heat map illustrates. His relentless runs down the right flank create countless attacking opportunities, making him an integral part of the Leverkusen side that remarkably secured a Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double last season. Once again, they have pushed Bayern Munich in the title race this term. Across the past two seasons, Frimpong has racked up an impressive 37 goal involvements (18 goals, 19 assists).
However, while he hasn’t played as a traditional right-back under Alonso, he largely did during his time at Celtic and in his early days at Leverkusen before the Spaniard’s arrival. His 2021-22 heat map under Gerardo Seoane shows a style of play far more aligned with that of an orthodox right-back.
He registered six assists in the Bundesliga that season—the same tally as Alexander-Arnold in the Premier League this campaign—while averaging 1.3 open-play chances created per 90 minutes, just shy of Alexander-Arnold’s 1.4. However, his approach to the role was markedly different.
A comparison between Frimpong’s 2021-22 league performances and Alexander-Arnold’s 2024-25 displays reveals that the Leverkusen man attempted more dribbles and excelled in ground duels but was far less involved in passing sequences and defensive actions.
Frimpong is undoubtedly a top talent, yet his style contrasts significantly with Alexander-Arnold’s. Slot may be open to reshaping Liverpool’s tactical setup and could even prefer a right-back like Frimpong, who offers more width and dribbling prowess. However, adjustments elsewhere in the squad would be necessary to accommodate his strengths.
One potential concern is his compatibility with Salah—assuming the Egyptian remains at Anfield. That said, Frimpong previously formed a highly effective partnership with Moussa Diaby, another quick, left-footed winger with a keen eye for goal, during their time together on Leverkusen’s right flank in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. Though Diaby occasionally played on the left, their synergy was undeniable.
Two additional factors work in Frimpong’s favor: he reportedly has a release clause of around £34 million, and—perhaps even more crucially—he would qualify as a homegrown player due to his development at Manchester City, which could help Liverpool offset the loss of academy graduate Alexander-Arnold.
Frimpong’s versatility could also be a valuable asset, as he has the potential to feature in the front line. This flexibility might allow him and Bradley to coexist on Liverpool’s right flank when Salah—assuming he stays at Anfield beyond this season—is unavailable, such as during the Africa Cup of Nations in December and January.
Pedro Porro: A High-Quality but Costly Alternative
For a more polished replacement, Pedro Porro—another former Manchester City prospect—could be a bold target.
Opta’s player radars suggest that Porro’s statistical output last season aligns more closely with Alexander-Arnold’s 2024-25 numbers than any other full-back in Europe’s top five leagues.
Since joining Tottenham Hotspur from Sporting CP in January 2023, Porro has been a standout performer, contributing nine goals and 17 assists in 95 appearances across all competitions.
This season, he ranks second only to Alexander-Arnold for chances created by right-backs in the Premier League (44 vs. 51), while no other player in his position has produced more open-play crosses than his 109.
However, prying Porro away from Spurs would be an expensive challenge. Chairman Daniel Levy is known for driving a hard bargain, and with Liverpool expected to have a busy summer transfer window, splurging on a right-back may not be the club’s top priority.
The Free Agent Route
Ola Aina – A Defensive Powerhouse but an Attacking Concern
If finances become a concern for Liverpool—especially since they won’t receive a transfer fee for Alexander-Arnold—they could explore the free-agent market for a right-back under the Bosman Ruling.
A standout candidate would be Ola Aina, who has enjoyed an impressive campaign with Nottingham Forest. The Nigerian international has recovered possession more times than any other defender in the Premier League this season (156) and has already demonstrated his ability to perform in crucial moments against Liverpool.
During their 1-1 draw at the City Ground in January, Aina made a game-saving block to deny Salah a late winner—one of three goal-line clearances he produced in quick succession that ultimately helped Forest secure valuable points.
However, Liverpool’s right-back will need to contribute offensively. While Aina’s defensive prowess is undeniable, his attacking output raises questions. Given Nottingham Forest’s more conservative style of play, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison, but his 11 chances created in the league this season—40 fewer than Alexander-Arnold—suggest he may not offer the attacking impetus Liverpool require.
Kyle Walker-Peters – A Versatile and Homegrown Alternative
Another potential option is Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters, who may be unwilling to spend another season in the Championship if the Saints fail to secure promotion. The former Tottenham Hotspur defender offers versatility, as he can operate on both flanks, and, like Aina, qualifies as a homegrown player.
Walker-Peters has featured in 27 league games this season, almost evenly split between left- and right-back. He boasts an impressive passing accuracy of 91.1% and has created 21 chances from open play—at least nine more than any other Southampton defender. Only 10 Premier League defenders have bettered his tally, highlighting his ability to contribute in attack as well as in defense.
Givairo Read – The ‘Next’ Alexander-Arnold?
Having struck gold by trusting a young Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool might be tempted to take a calculated risk on another rising star.
Feyenoord’s Givairo Read is already familiar with Arne Slot, who handed him his debut in a Europa League clash against Roma last season. The 18-year-old has since cemented his place in Feyenoord’s first team, making 17 Eredivisie appearances (13 starts) and providing six assists.
His most recent standout performance came in a 6-2 victory over FC Twente, where he registered three assists—one from a pinpoint cross, another from a precise low delivery, and the third via an Alexander-Arnold-esque long ball. Only Igor Paixão (9) has more assists for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie this season.
Blessed with pace and technical ability, Read has also gained valuable Champions League experience, featuring in both play-off ties against Milan and appearing in the last-16 second leg against Inter.
Martim Fernandes – Porto’s Rising Star
Another potential option is Porto’s Martim Fernandes, one of the most exciting young prospects in the Primeira Liga. Reports from December indicated that Liverpool had been monitoring his progress as a possible successor to Alexander-Arnold.
The 19-year-old is highly composed on the ball and consistently looks to launch attacks. His creative ability is evident, having registered five assists in the 2024-25 league season—joint-most for Porto alongside Francisco Moura.
Fernandes also leads all defenders in Europe’s top 10 leagues for big chances created per 90 minutes (0.96), showcasing his exceptional vision and attacking intent (minimum 10 games played).
A Bold Alternative – Trai Hume
We couldn’t resist a left-field option, but there’s some logic to it. Liverpool already have a Northern Ireland international making waves on the right side in Conor Bradley—so why not add another?
Sunderland’s Trai Hume has been outstanding in the Championship this season. The 23-year-old has six assists, the joint-most for the Black Cats alongside Patrick Roberts.
Hume leads all Championship defenders in open-play chances created (45) and big chances (13) in 2024-25. Even when including midfielders and forwards, only five second-tier players have fashioned more open-play chances, while just four have set up more big chances.
Defensively, he has been both active and aggressive. No Championship defender has been dribbled past more times (39), but on a per-90 basis (minimum 10 games), he ranks 10th (1.08). He also tops the league for tackles (99), sits eighth for interceptions (44), and ranks among the top eight for possession won (154). Hume’s work rate is further proven by the fact that he made 152 tackles last season—at least 33 more than anyone else in the division.
A model of durability, he has played all but one of Sunderland’s 38 league matches this season, following a campaign in which he featured in all 46 games.
Whether he’d relish competing with Bradley at both club and international level is uncertain—though Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has previously resolved that by pushing Bradley further forward. One thing seems clear: Hume is destined for the Premier League before long.
Replacing a ‘unicorn’ like Alexander-Arnold is no easy task, but whatever Liverpool decide, their squad is set for a significant transformation next season.
Also Read: ISL 2024/25 Playoffs: NorthEast United FC vs Jamshedpur FC – Preview, Prediction and Where To Watch The Match LIVE
Read More: ISL 2024/25 Playoffs: Bengaluru FC Thrash Mumbai City FC 5-0 to Storm Into the Semi-finals
FAQs
Who are the potential replacements for Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool?
Liverpool could target Jeremie Frimpong, Pedro Porro, Ola Aina, Kyle Walker-Peters, Givairo Read, Martim Fernandes, or Trai Hume as possible right-back options.
Is Jeremie Frimpong a natural right-back?
Frimpong primarily plays as a wing-back for Bayer Leverkusen but has experience as a traditional right-back from his time at Celtic and under previous Leverkusen coaches.
How does Pedro Porro compare to Alexander-Arnold?
Opta’s data shows Porro’s attacking output closely matches Alexander-Arnold’s, making him a viable replacement, but his signing would require a significant transfer fee.
Which free agents could Liverpool sign as a cost-effective solution?
Ola Aina is a standout free-agent option, excelling defensively at Nottingham Forest, though his attacking output is considerably lower than Alexander-Arnold’s.
Are there any young prospects Liverpool could develop into their next right-back?
Feyenoord’s Givairo Read and Porto’s Martim Fernandes are emerging talents Liverpool could sign, both offering strong attacking contributions from defense.
