Why Xabi Alonso could give Liverpool a LIFELINE in Trent Alexander-Arnold saga | OneFootball

Liverpool have been forced to have right-backs on their radar this season, due to the huge issue of Trent Alexander-Arnold being out of contract at the end of 2024/25.

The anxiety levels of fans around the world continue to rise with each passing game as their homegrown hero continues to show how essential he is to Arne Slot's Premier League leaders.

Rumours of potential replacements are emerging at a steady rate, suggesting that sporting director Richard Hughes is well aware of the need to conduct due diligence and be ready to implement a plan B should Alexander-Arnold leave Anfield.

Read more: Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher desperate to see this star given new contract

REAL MADRID LINK PERSISTS

The European champions' continued interest in Alexander-Arnold is understandable, as his creativity is world-beating.

Not only that but Real Madrid are facing a full-back crisis, with regular starter Dani Carvajal ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.

However, their heads could be turned away from Trent by a player that has been making a name for himself under Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso.

Former Celtic and current Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong helped Alonso's side to storm to an invincible Bundesliga title win last season, notching 14 goals and 12 assists in all competitions.

Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg is now claiming that the Spanish side are monitoring Frimpong’s status as a potential Carvajal replacement.

Frimpong’s contract currently runs until 2028 but has a £34m release clause in the summer which could make him attractive to Real Madrid and dispel their interest in Alexander-Arnold.

HOW DOES FRIMPONG COMPARE?

It is worth questioning what the strategy is for Madrid here when Frimpong's defensive numbers leave a bit to be desired.

According to this report on FBREF.com, the Dutchman averages only 2.61 tackles & interceptions per 90 minutes this season, compared to Trent’s 3.38 and Carvajal’s 3.24. Frimpong's 40% tackle rate is inferior to Trent’s 61.1% and Carvajal’s 75%.

Alexander-Arnold is statistically a better defender than his critics would have you believe and the quality of his passing means any team in the world would want to sign him.

If Real Madrid staff scrutinise the stats, they may decide that the defensive drop-off from Carvajal to Frimpong is too drastic and turn back to Trent. Those fears held by Liverpool fans could be here for a while yet.

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