5 potential Liverpool replacements for Trent Alexander-Arnold - ranked | OneFootball

2024/25 has the potential to be nothing short of magical for Liverpool, yet the highs of a trophy-laden campaign could dissipate somewhat in the summer.

Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold all have contract situations in need of resolving. While optimistic supporters will hope the triumvirate commit their futures to Anfield, there's a very real possibility that Arne Slot will head into 2025/26 without at least one talismanic figure.

The most likely to depart is Alexander-Arnold.

A revolutionary full-back who has won the lot with his boyhood club, Liverpool supporters surely can't begrudge their homegrown superstar succumbing to the allure of Real Madrid. What would you do if you had Jude Bellingham whispering sweet nothings into your ear?

Replacing such a unique footballer is an impossible task, yet it's one that may fall at the doorstep of Michael Edwards once Trent's future becomes clear.

Here are five potential Alexander-Arnold replacements for Liverpool to consider.

5. Lutsharel Geertruida

Arne Slot worked with Geertruida at Feyenoord / Silvia Lore/GettyImages

Geertruida was Slot's captain at Feyenoord, and there were tenuous reports in the summer that the new Liverpool boss was 'set to bring' the Dutch full-back with him to Anfield. A move never materialised, though, and Geertruida instead signed for RB Leipzig.The 24-year-old has shown off his impressive versatility in Saxony, with Marco Rose deploying him across Leipzig's back four. For Slot, Geertruida generally performed a conservative right-back function, but the manager would also encourage him to operate infield where he's certainly proven himself to be comfortable.Geertruida's addition would force Slot into a considerable dynamic shift given the player's contrasting profile to Alexander-Arnold, but the Liverpool boss may be keen to reunite with a reliable familiar face.

4. Joshua Kimmich

Kimmich is out of contract in the summer / Alexander Hassenstein/GettyImages

Kimmich has generally underwhelmed over the past couple of years, but an argument could be made that his best run of form in recent times arrived when Thomas Tuchel returned him to right-back for the second half of 2023/24. Vincent Kompany has allowed Kimmich to play in midfield, and the German has shown on several occasions this term that he remains a special footballer. His performance against RB Leipzig just before the winter break was particularly brilliant and a reminder of the threat he supplies as a playmaker from deep. Kimmich could somewhat make up for Trent's departure in that sense, but given that he'll likely have multiple clubs at his doorstep once his Bayern Munich contract expires in June, would he opt to play right-back for Liverpool? He wants to play in midfield.Slot may need to do some persuading because the German would be a superb replacement. He's not your typical Edwards signing, but Liverpool will need leaders if they're unable to retain their three musketeers.

Frimpong has previously been linked with a move to Anfield / ANP/GettyImages

It's been a while since Frimpong has played in a back four, with Slot unlikely to change tack for the sake of the Dutchman. However, there have been links to the Bayer Leverkusen wing-back well into 2024.Frimpong starred for Xabi Alonso's history-makers last season and has remained a mainstay down the right flank this term.The wing-back is remarkably dynamic and a reliable final-third contributor, although he goes about his work in a markedly different way to Alexander-Arnold.Frimpong is anything but a silky playmaker from deep-lying positions. His best work arrives when he's getting on the overlap, combining with creators in the half-space and drilling balls across the box. The Dutchman can score plenty, too (14 goals in all competitions last season). His skillset would be limited considerably by playing Alexander-Arnold's current role, but Slot would doubtlessly tinker with his system to ensure Frimpong is getting plenty of opportunities in advanced positions.

2. Pedro Porro

Porro has some stylistic similarities to Alexander-Arnold / Alex Pantling/GettyImages

Liverpool fans may scoff at the prospect of signing Porro, who has endured a tough 2024/25 campaign, but the Spaniard's dip in form can largely be attributed to the sheer volume of minutes he's been required to play over the past 18 months. There are stylistic similarities between Porro and Alexander-Arnold. The pair are outstanding technicians capable of unlocking defences through their supreme passing ranges, and there have, of course, been questions over their defensive capabilities. Porro, however, has perhaps been harshly assessed in this regard, while Trent has largely defended well in 2024/25 - dismal showing against Manchester United notwithstanding. Porro's Premier League experience counts for plenty, and if Liverpool are intent on replacing their standout right-back with someone of a similar profile, the Spanish international may be their man.

1. Conor Bradley

Bradley could assume the starting role / Pedro Salado/GettyImages

Some Liverpool supporters would argue there's no need for the club to spend big given the level Bradley has reached stepping into a senior role.The academy graduate filled in superbly for a prolonged period last season and has already starred on the biggest stages for the Reds. Bradley is a well-rounded full-back who excels in all phases. He's a far sterner defender than Trent and is excellent when he ventures in the final third. Bradley is more of a runner and combiner as opposed to a passer, but has nonetheless proved himself within Slot's current framework. The 21-year-old looks ready to fill any potential void, and Liverpool's right-back search in the summer may instead focus on supplying back-up for Bradley.