Can Liverpool Actually Replace Trent Alexander-Arnold if He Leaves in the Summer? | OneFootball

Liverpool are in a bit of a sticky situation. The contract situations of the elite trio – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah – mean that each player’s contract is set to expire at the same time, which means all of them could be leaving in the summer.

Whether that will happen or not remains to be seen, but Liverpool fans will be pleased to hear, it’s a little unlikely. While it points to a shocking lack of management to allow the potential loss of three significant players, the chances of all three choosing to leave are slim, especially given their success at the club and the renewal offer that will be put in front of them.

That being said, at least one of the trio will likely go, and many are putting their bets on Alexander-Arnold. According to the latest football developments at BetMGM, the odds on Trent-Alexander Arnold leaving are high, with Real Madrid apparently planning on signing the Liverpool defender in the summer. This means Liverpool have the job of finding a suitable replacement, but how easy is this going to be?

Can Liverpool Actually Replace Trent Alexander-Arnold?

Although Alexander-Arnold came from the academy and became part of the first team in 2016, it he has the potential to rival all of Liverpool’s greatest signings of all time – the players they had to convince and spend a lot of money on signing. Since then, he has been a crucial cog in Liverpool’s system, especially in the last few years as Liverpool’s strategy has become more defence-based.

Alexander-Arnold is not your average defender, after all. On the contrary, he has a unique set of skills as both a right-back and a creative force in midfield, with his pinpoint crosses and set-piece deliveries making him one of the league’s most prolific assist providers. His long-term connection with the team and the tactical system is also impossible to replicate.

Even if Liverpool can bring in a suitable replacement in terms of style and skill, Alexander-Arnold’s presence on the field goes way beyond his individual talents – for the younger players, he’s a rock that inspires confidence and leadership. This kind of thing is needed to cope with the multiple pressures of being a professional football player. Being a local player who came through Liverpool’s academy, Alexander-Arnold also embodies the club’s values and traditions in a way no other player can, and this will be something sorely missed if the rumours are true and Real Madrid comes calling.

Is it All Bad News?

For Liverpool fans, the thought of Alexander-Arnold not being part of the club’s backline can seem a little bleak. But it isn’t all bad news. Over the last few months, Conor Bradley has been coming on for the star defender and has undoubtedly excelled in the position. The young right-back has not only impressed with his performances, but has demonstrated his maturity and a natural ability to contribute both defensively and offensively to the team’s gameplan.

He may not yet match Alexander-Arnold’s level of experience or creativity, but no player can remain with a club forever. At some point, someone new was going to have to step up to the plate, and Liverpool will be thankful that someone could potentially already be in their line-up.

With this in mind, Liverpool fans can be optimistic about the club’s future. Yes, the concept of all three elites leaving in the summer is a scary one, but as mentioned before, it’s unlikely to happen, and while Alexander-Arnold’s professionalism and experience is going to be missed, this could be a chance for the club to start chasing new horizons. As always, we’ll have to see what happens come the summer. But the clouds have not grown too dark just yet.