Liverpool want 'INCREDIBLE' defender to REPLACE Trent Alexander-Arnold | OneFootball

Liverpool’s fantastic start to the season has been somewhat overshadowed by off-the-pitch matters at Anfield.

The Reds currently sit top of the Premier League, but the contract situations of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have had almost as much attentions as Liverpool’s impressive performances under new head coach Arne Slot.

The trio are all out of contract at the end of the season and will leave the club on a free transfer unless extensions can be agreed.

Liverpool have started planning for the worst and have now identified a potential replacement should Alexander-Arnold leave the club.

READ MORE: Liverpool's two-man Van Dijk replacement shortlist revealed

Liverpool interested in Kayode

According to a report from CaughtOffside, Liverpool have identified Fiorentina right-back Michael Kayode as one of their targets to replace Alexander-Arnold if he does leave the club.

The 20-year-old has impressed for Fiorentina and made 37 appearances for La Viola last season.

The report also names Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong and AS Monaco’s Vanderson as potential replacements and mentions Real Madrid as a potential suiter for Alexander-Arnold should his contract expire.

Who is Kayode?

Having initially come through Juventus’ academy, Kayode moved to Fiorentina in 2021 and has now played 42 times for the first team. The youngster has also earned three call ups to Italy’s U21 side.

Kayode has impressed on a number of occasions and has earned praise from a number of figures in Italian football.

“[Kayode] is really strong,” Pino Vitale, an experienced Italian agent, told Radio Firenze Viola. “Incredible. He forced Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to chase him.”

Speaking further on Kayode’s impressive performance against Napoli, Vitale said:

“It was the best match ever since [Vincenzo] Italiano took over Fiorentina. They didn’t let Napoli play and ate them up. [Full-backs Fabiano] Parisi and Kayode are strong and played an excellent game.

“Kvaratskhelia had to change wings due to the way Kayode controlled him! There is no need to worry about him. He is only 19 years old, but he is a ‘player’.”

Kayode is now 20 but defending Kvaratskhelia is no easy feat as Alexander-Arnold found out himself in the UEFA Champions League a few seasons ago.

The Italian youngster comes highly regarded and could develop further under Slot, and alongside Conor Bradley, to replace Alexander-Arnold should he choose to leave Liverpool.

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