“Unquestionably we should be going and buying a right back this summer.” Hendrick Daily Red | OneFootball

Mo Salah, Xabi Alonso and Transfers: Liverpool’s Summer Drama Begins

Few podcasts offer the granularity and conviction of The Daily Red Podcast, hosted by Dave Hendrick. In the 9 May 2025 episode, Hendrick tackles the unfolding narratives surrounding Mo Salah’s record-breaking accolades, Xabi Alonso’s future, and Liverpool’s intricate summer transfer plans.

Mo Salah Makes History Again

In a fitting tribute to his relentless excellence, Mohamed Salah has claimed the Football Writers’ Player of the Year award for the third time. Hendrick lauded the feat, saying: “Winning this award for the third time is an incredible achievement—an absolutely incredible achievement.”

Salah now joins Thierry Henry as only the second player to have won the honour three times. Hendrick noted: “Mo has matched him now for Premier League titles. Mo has had longevity that Henry didn’t really have… He wins it in 2018, wins it again in 2022, and now again in 2025.”

According to Hendrick, the Egyptian is expected to sweep all major accolades this season, including the PFA Player of the Year and Premier League Golden Boot: “That will mean number four. That will put him level with Henry as the only person doing it four times.”

Xabi Alonso’s Madrid Mission

The episode also shed light on a significant managerial change as former Liverpool maestro Xabi Alonso is set to take over at Real Madrid. Hendrick didn’t mince words: “Everybody and their mother knows that he’s going to Real Madrid. So Xabi Alonso will be managing Trent Alexander-Arnold next season.”

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The tactical permutations excite Hendrick, especially around Trent’s role: “Trent as a wing back obviously solves a number of issues… It gives him more licence to play in a midfield role.” Hendrick envisions a system where “Trent can drift into a central area and be the playmaker they’ve been lacking.”

Transfer Talk: Vanderson, Darwin and Bradley

Hendrick’s insight into Liverpool’s transfer strategy centred heavily around right-backs and forwards. He confirmed Arne Slot’s confidence in Connor Bradley but argued: “Unquestionably we should be going and buying a right back this summer.”

Hendrick dismissed the link to Jeremie Frimpong: “Really don’t like the idea of him as a right back in a back four. Really don’t like it at all.” Instead, he endorsed Vanderson of Monaco: “He’s a much better right back than Frimpong… a significantly better right back than Connor Bradley as well.”

He explained the logic: “You want to get someone in who’s stable, who’s not going to be missing games on you.” Vanderson’s injury record and technical prowess were also praised: “He’s very high level. Really high technical level… He’s been capped by Brazil five times.”

Regarding outgoings, Darwin Núñez could be Saudi-bound. Hendrick reported: “Al Hilal showed a strong interest. They want Darwin for the Club World Cup.” He added confidently: “I think we can get the full £85 million. Maybe even make a small profit on him because they’re going to be desperate.”

Strategic Planning for a New Era

As Klopp’s legacy gives way to Arne Slot’s tenure, Liverpool appear poised to reinforce both defensively and in attack. Hendrick captured this moment of transition with a degree of cautious optimism: “If Bradley was leaving and we were bringing in two, bringing in those two—Vanderson and Martin Fernandez—would be great.”

And what about the vision for a revamped forward line? Hendrick dared to dream: “We sell Darwin and Diaz and buy Alvarez and Rodrigo. It’s unlikely to happen—I accept—but it would be a thing of absolute beauty.”

With authoritative voices like Dave Hendrick unpacking each move and decision, the summer of 2025 already feels like a pivotal chapter in Liverpool’s modern history. Whether it’s Mo Salah rewriting records, Xabi Alonso building his empire in Madrid, or Liverpool’s recruitment team working the phones, this is the stuff of sporting epics.