“He’s Better than Trent!” – Liverpool Legend Heaps Praise on ‘Brilliant’ Star | OneFootball

Liverpool Could Have a New Trent Alexander-Arnold Replacement and it’s not Bradley or Frimpong

When Trent Alexander-Arnold decided to leave Liverpool in favour of a move to Real Madrid at the end of last season, many people questioned how the Reds would replace him.

His creativity and range of passing from the back was simply world-class, regardless of the question marks that were ever-present around his defensive abilities.

Liverpool’s answer? Academy graduate Conor Bradley has showed moments of brilliance and undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of him, but the 22-year-old continues to find consistency in his fitness.

Jeremie Frimpong also arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £29m and started in Liverpool’s opening game victory over AFC Bournemouth at Anfield.

However, Arne Slot has shown that he has one more trick up his sleeve and it’s a very good one; Dominik Szoboszlai.

Liverpool legend John Aldridge spoke exclusively to Anfield Index and heaped praise on the Hungarian.

Szboszlai’s Immense Versatility

Despite naturally being an attacking midfielder, Szoboszlai has put in two back-to-back man of the match performances from right-back. The first coming in the 3-2 win over Newcastle United and then in the 1-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday.

Of course his simply magnificent free-kick stole the headlines, but Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli didn’t get a sniff all game long. His defensive abilities have gone a long way in steadying a Liverpool back-line that has struggled in the early stages of the season.

Aldridge said: “The defence has worried me a little bit. It’s a big change with the two full-backs coming in, but they just need time to settle in.”

“Milos Kerkez looked nervy in the first few games but he was excellent against Arsenal and a brilliant player in Noni Madueke.”

“Then Dominik Szoboszlai has come in at right-back and he has been better than Trent Alexander-Arnold! He was brilliant!”

“They needed some confidence at the back and a clean sheet against Arsenal will definitely help with that.”

Photo: IMAGO

Szoboszlai vs Arsenal

He won three of his four duels across the 90 minutes and followed that up with six clearances, two tackles and one interception.

But it wasn’t just his defensive numbers that were impressive as he finished the game with an impressive 90% pass completion.

And no words are really needed for the 32-yard screamer of a free-kick that he hit past David Raya in the 83rd minute. Simply sensational!

With both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong expected to be fully fit after the international break, it will be interesting to see where Slot sees Szoboszlai featuring.

Liverpool’s first game back after the break is an away trip to Turf Moor to face Burnley, where Szoboszlai’s physicality would be a serious help.