The five contenders to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back for Liverpool

At the end of the current season, it remains a distinct possibility that long-time Liverpool servant and high-quality full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold leaves for pastures new. With his contract dwindling, the 26-year-old has been heavily linked with a switch to the Bernabeu, where he’d be linking up with some of the biggest names in the sport, donning the famous all-white strip of Real Madrid, arguably the biggest club on the planet.

Of course, there’s nothing yet in place, while reports suggesting the Reds are still trying to keep their man have started to circulate. However, with the potential for a move away from Anfield still high, the team about to clinch the Premier League title will undoubtedly be looking at replacements already.

Sizeable Shoes to Fill

If Trent goes, then anybody who comes in, no matter who they are, has a serious job on their hands to even get close to reproducing what the homegrown talent has given Liverpool over the years.

Far more than just a right-back, far more than just an attacking right-back, at times, Alexander-Arnold was the single-player embodiment of what Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team was all about, while he’s not done too badly under Arne Slot this season, delivering 11 goals and assists in all competitions.

Over the course of his career, in all competitions, TAA has produced 22 goals and 85 assists for Liverpool, which for a man who is a right-back by trade, is nothing short of outstanding.

Five Potential Replacements

Here are five players that may just fit the bill when it comes to replacing a man that has undoubtedly been one of Liverpool’s best performers for much of the last decade.

Conor Bradley

To replace Alexander-Arnold, the Liverpool hierarchy may not have to look too far. Many would argue that a ready-made replacement is right under their nose in the form of Connor Bradley.

Bradley has worked alongside Trent for some time now, deputising to good effect on many occasions, while he’s already established himself as a very useful Liverpool player, making 46 first-team appearances since a Champions League debut during the 2021-22 season.

The obvious bonus of internally appointing Connor Bradley as any sort of TAA replacement is that there would likely be far less teething problems than if Slot brings in an outsider.

Jeremie Frimpong

Should Liverpool decide to recruit from outside of the club, then Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, who is easily one of the most offensively minded full-backs playing in Europe, is likely high on the list of targets.

A Bundesliga winner under the astute management of former Liverpool player Xabi Alonso, Frimpong has been an important player for one of Germany’s best teams for a few seasons now.

Denzel Dumfries

Of the potential replacements not currently at Liverpool, Dumfries is probably just about the most high-profile. The Dutch forward was a huge part of the Netherlands set-up at Euro 2024, while he’s also been a key player for Inter Milan.

A serious physical battler, pacey and no stranger to bombing forward, Dumfries is certainly a player in the TAA mould athletically, even if he lacks the same level of crossing/dead-ball abilities.

Guela Doue

Playing for Strasbourg in Ligue 1 this season, Guela Doue hasn’t really attracted the same level of attention as those mentioned above, but he’s likely on the list of potential full-back acquisitions for Liverpool.

Doue is quick, willing to get forward, and comfortable making long, rangey passes — reminiscent of TAA’s style.

Anthony Caci

Anthony Caci is not as high-profile as Frimpong or Dumfries, but the Mainz full-back has enjoyed a strong season in the Bundesliga, delivering seven assists.

He ranks in the top 5% of full-backs for assists in Europe’s top five leagues. Like Doue, he could be a cost-effective option.

2024/25 Numbers: Trent vs The Five Contenders

As the stats above show, Trent Alexander-Arnold is going to be very hard to replace, especially from a creativity point of view, but the five contenders mentioned have still delivered some pleasing numbers, while none of them has yet reached their potential.