Season 2024/25. has the potential to be nothing short of magical for Liverpool, but the highlights of a trophy-laden campaign could fade somewhat over the summer.
Mohamed SalahVirgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold all have contract situations to sort out. While optimistic fans will be hoping that the triumvirate will commit their future to Anfield, there is a very real possibility that Arne Slot will start in 2025/26. without at least one talismanic figure.
The most likely departure is Alexander-Arnold.
A revolutionary full-back who won the draw with his boyhood club, Liverpool fans certainly can’t blame their homegrown superstar for succumbing to the allure Real Madrid. What would you do if Jude Bellingham whispered sweet words in your ear?
Replacing such a unique footballer is an impossible task, but it could fall on Michael Edwards’ doorstep when Trent’s future becomes clear.
Here are five potential replacements for Alexander-Arnold Liverpool consider.
Geertruida was Slot’s captain at Feyenoord and there were thin reports this summer that the new Liverpool boss was ‘ready to bring’ the Dutch full-back with him to Anfield.
However, the move never materialized and Geertruida signed for RB Leipzig instead.
The 24-year-old has shown his impressive versatility in Saxony, with Marco Rose deploying him across Leipzig’s back-four squad. For Slot, Geertruida has generally performed a conservative right-back function, but the manager would also encourage him to operate inside the pitch where he has certainly proven he is comfortable.
The addition of Geertruida would force Sloto to make a significant dynamic change given the profile of the player opposite Alexander-Arnold, but the Liverpool boss may want to reunite a reliable familiar face.
Kimmich has been generally underwhelming over the past few years, but an argument could be made that he hit his best form of late when Thomas Tuchel brought him back to right-back for the second half of 2023/24.
Vincent Kompany allowed Kimmich to play in midfield and the German has shown on several occasions this term that he remains a special footballer. His performance against RB Leipzig just before the winter break was particularly brilliant and a reminder of the threat he provides as a playmaker from deep.
In that sense, Kimmich could somewhat compensate for Trent’s departure, but given that he probably will more clubs on your doorstep when his contract with bayern munich expires in june, will he opt to play right back for liverpool? He wants to play in midfield.
Sloto may need some convincing as German would be an excellent replacement. He’s not a typical Edwards signing, but Liverpool will need leaders if they can’t keep their three musketeers.
It’s been a long time since Frimpong played in the back four, and it’s unlikely that Slot will change tactics because of the Dutchman. However, there were links with the Bayer Leverkusen full-back deep into 2024.
Frimpong starred for history makers Xabi Alonso last season and has remained a mainstay on the right flank this season.
The wing-back is an incredibly dynamic and reliable player in the final third, although he does his job in a very different way to Alexander-Arnold.
Frimpong is anything but a silky playmaker from deep positions. His best work comes when he crosses over, combining with creators in the half-space and drilling balls across the penalty area. And the Dutchman can score a lot (14 goals in all competitions last season).
His skill set would be significantly limited playing the current Alexander-Arnold role, but Slot would no doubt tinker with his system to ensure Frimpong gets plenty of opportunities in advanced positions.
Liverpool fans may scoff at the prospect of signing Porro, who endured a difficult 2024/25 campaign, but the Spaniard’s dip in form can largely be attributed to the sheer number of minutes he has had to play over the past 18 months.
There are stylistic similarities between Porro and Alexander-Arnold. The two are superb technicians capable of unlocking defenses through their superb passing ranges, and of course there have been questions about their defensive abilities. Porro, however, may have been judged harshly in that regard, while Trent defended mostly well in the 2024/25 season. – regardless of the sad result against Manchester United.
Porro’s Premier League experience abounds, and if Liverpool intend to replace their standout right-back with someone of a similar profile, the Spain international could be their man.
Some Liverpool fans would argue that there is no need for the club to spend big given the level Bradley has reached entering the senior ranks.
The academy graduate filled in brilliantly for an extended spell last season and has already starred on the biggest stages for the Reds.
Bradley is a well-rounded guard who excels in all phases. He is a far tougher defender than Trent and is excellent when he ventures into the final third. Bradley is more of a runner and combiner than a passer, but he has nonetheless proven himself within the current Slot framework.
The 21-year-old appears ready to fill any potential void, and Liverpool’s search for a right-back in the summer could instead focus on helping Bradley.
READ THE LATEST LIVERPOOL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND GOSSIP
