After months of speculation, the moment most Liverpool FC fans dreaded has arrived: Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed that he’ll be leaving his boyhood club when his contract expires in June.
While the announcement didn’t come as a shock to many, with reports suggesting the England international is set to join Real Madrid CF, there will no doubt be a pang of sadness and anger as one of Liverpool’s own sets out on his own.
Born and brought up in Merseyside, Alexander-Arnold has been at the club since the age of six and was handed the vice-captaincy last season. Someone who redefined his role at right-back, the 26-year-old impacts games in a way no other player does—with an attacking flair scarcely seen before from a fullback.
So, how do you replace a “once in a generation” talent?
Well, you can’t. But here, I’ve listed five players who can replace some of Alexander-Arnold’s key attributes while adding some of their own in what will be a new-look backline for Liverpool next season, especially given the Reds are also planning to address their left-back situation this summer.
#5 Pedro Porro
Spanish right-back Pedro Porro is known for his attacking prowess and creative abilities, particularly his crossing and dribbling abilities. A quick and agile player, he’s good at winning the ball and closing down opponents. While his defensive work has been a subject of much debate, he’s generally considered a reliable modern right-back whose contributes are key to the offensive play.
According to Opta’s player radars, in certain key metrics over recent seasons, Porro has been mirroring Alexander-Arnold’s numbers most closely among fullbacks from Europe’s top five leagues. This season, he has created more chances (54) than any other defender in the Premier League—Alexander-Arnold has 51—while also leading all right-backs in open-play crosses (131).
Porro’s attacking abilities and creative aptitude make him a good fit for Liverpool, while his versatility would also stand him in good stead under someone like Arne Slot. However, it would take a hefty fee from the Merseyside club to prise him away from Tottenham Hotspur. Daniel Levy has a reputation for being a hard negotiator, and given Liverpool are in for a busy summer, forking out a significant chunk on a right-back might not be seen as the best use of funds.
#4 Ola Aina
If money is an issue for Liverpool, especially considering they’ll be getting nothing for Alexander-Arnold, they could always go down the more economical route by signing a right-back on a free themselves.
Ola Aina would be one of the more obvious options in this regard. The 28-year-old has had a standout season with Nottingham Forest, and although it was reported in March that he might be close to agreeing a new deal to stay at the City Ground, speculation has gone quiet since.
Aina has won possession more times (173) than any other defender in the Premier League this season—level with Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento (173). His excellent reading of the game allows him to excel at interceptions and clearances, placing him among the league’s top performers in those areas.
However, Liverpool need their right-back to produce in attack as well, and while it’s difficult to judge Aina given he does play for a team with a completely different approach, the fact he has only created 15 chances in the league this season—36 fewer than Alexander-Arnold—will probably be the biggest red flag for Slot and his coaching staff.
#3 Givairo Read
Liverpool struck gold when they showed faith in a young Alexander-Arnold. Given their track record with young players, they could afford to take a bit of a risk on another up-and-comer.
Slot knows all about 18-year-old Givairo Read, having given him his debut for Feyenoord last season. Read gave a solid account of himself that night against AS Roma in the UEFA Europa League, and he has been on an upward trajectory ever since.
Read has established himself in the first team at De Kuip this season, making 23 Eredivisie appearances and recording six assists—only Igor Paixão (9) has more assists for Feyenoord in the league this term.
The Netherlands U19 international is quick, can beat a man, and is a deadly crosser of the ball. He may not boast Alexander-Arnold’s ridiculous range of passing, but he’s got a great right foot capable of picking out runners with raking passes from deep.
He might be raw, but Read has the potential to become the next big thing.
#2 Jeremie Frimpong
One of the first big names to be linked with Liverpool—and perhaps the most likely candidate to step into Alexander-Arnold’s boots at Anfield—is Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong.
The diminutive Dutch wingback has been sensational for Xabi Alonso’s side in the last two seasons and is among the most productive right-backs in world football. Across all competitions in that time, the 24-year-old has had 37 goal involvements (18 goals, 19 assists).
An explosive, attack-minded right-wingback who thrives in Leverkusen’s dynamic system under Alonso, Frimpong’s standout qualities are his acceleration, constant vertical runs, and the ability to overload the right flank. He also excels in 1v1 situations, often dribbling past defenders and delivering dangerous low crosses, while defensively he uses his speed to recover quickly—transitional play being his strong suit.
However, one aspect that can’t be overlooked is his defensive vulnerabilities as a wide player. The “Trent can’t defend” brigade would have a field day when they watch Frimpong try to defend.
What Frimpong does offer, however, is elite-level output going forward: he ranks in the 99th percentile for both touches in the opponent’s penalty area (4.93 per 90) and progressive passes received (10.65 per 90), and the 98th percentile for progressive carries (4.13 per 90). Additionally, he’s in the 97th percentile among fullbacks for non-penalty expected goals and expected assists combined (0.35 per 90), which is even higher than Alexander-Arnold (0.33 per 90).
Frimpong is unquestionably a very good player, but a very different one compared to Alexander-Arnold. Slot may be open to changing the setup of his team and could even prefer a right-back like Frimpong, who provides more width and dribbling threat, though changes would have to be made elsewhere on the pitch to accommodate him.
#1 Martim Fernandes
With Slot and Michael Edwards needing to reinforce several positions in their title-winning squad, Martim Fernandes could be a solution to their right-back issue.
In 23 Primeira Liga appearances, Fernandes has five assists to his name and, at just 19 years of age, is already a key cog in the Porto system.
Fernandes enjoys playing on the front foot. Much like Alexander-Arnold, he is an excellent crosser of the ball, adept at delivering into dangerous zones as well as inside the opposition six-yard box.
The Portugal U19 international’s decision-making in the final third is one of his greatest strengths. This season, he has racked up five assists and is averaging an impressive 0.32 expected assists (xA) per 90 in the Portuguese top flight, which is hugely impressive considering his age. For context, Alexander-Arnold has averaged 0.25 xA per 90. Couple this with his 2.15 long passes completed, 1.75 chances created, 1.28 successful crosses, 6.3 progressive passes, 1.59 dribbles completed, and 2.23 touches in the opposition box (all per 90), and you have an extremely efficient outlet to replicate some of the work Alexander-Arnold is notorious for, while also offering more versatility to accompany and support Mohamed Salah.
With Salah both coming in and staying out wide to run in behind—as well as using the half-spaces to operate with maximum efficiency—Martim is the archetype needed to form an ideal partnership, one where he isn’t depended upon for creativity, just glued to the touchline.
While Conor Bradley is equally energetic, and perhaps better in ground and aerial duels, Martim has the ability to sit in central zones, giving Slot more options to play with.
As long as Slot and Liverpool fans don’t try to mould Fernandes into another version of Alexander-Arnold, with him the team could become more versatile and explore a wider range of solutions in the long term, while maintaining high levels of offensive creation and efficiency from the right flank.
While there’s still plenty of room for improvement at 19 years of age, all signs point to Fernandes becoming one of the most complete right-backs in world football. Liverpool have a chance to poach one of the rising stars for as little as £20–25 million. Whether they’re willing to gamble on a 19-year-old remains the main question.
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