Liverpool nearing move to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold with Arne Slot favourite

Even though Real Madrid are yet to confirm an agreement with Trent Alexander-Arnold, it is increasingly likely that the right-back will leave Merseyside for good at the end of the season.

Liverpool have been trying to extend his contract over the last few years, knowing that his current deal expires in June 2025, but no progress has been made and the player's future at the club is firmly in doubt.

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As such, without any progress in the next few months, the player will be released and any team in the world will then be free to sign him, although clubs have already been able to agree pre-agreements with him since January, yet nothing has been announced.

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When Trent came off injured against PSG earlier this week, fans began to fear that they might have seen him play in a Liverpool shirt for the last time, although the full extent of the injury is yet to be understood.

Nonetheless, it seems reasonable that the club should prepare next season's squad without Trent and so replacements will need to be assessed. One player who you might expect to be high up on the shortlist has just delivered a statement performance that Liverpool will struggle to ignore.

Givairo Read's hat-trick of assists for Feyenoord

It was reported earlier this season by Caught Offside, that Liverpool are aware of Read's performances and that he is interested in moving to Liverpool rather than Manchester United in the summer.

The Dutch right-back has previously worked with Arne Slot at Feyenoord and given the success the head coach is having at Liverpool, a move to Merseyside for Read would make plenty of sense.

However, Feyenoord recently sacked their manager and former Manchester United player Robin Van Persie has been appointed as the new coach, who is a bit of a legend at the club.

As such, while Read's profile suggests that he would be a perfect replacement for Trent, it looked unlikely that the Reds could pounce, knowing that Van Persie has the remainder of the season to convince the player to remain put.

But in a 6-2 win this afternoon against Twente, the 18-year-old delivered a hat-trick of assists in a statement all-round performance.

He won two ground duels made four clearances, two interceptions, two tackles, four key passes, one cross, three accurate long-balls and created three big chances, each of which resulted in an assist.

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In doing so, he became the youngest player to deliver three assists in a game in the Eredivisie this century, according to OptaJohan.

The passing range was reminiscent of Alexander-Arnold at his peak, and yet he was spectacular in defence at the same time.

While Trent's defending has often been criticised, he clarified earlier this season that Slot was working with him directly to improve his weaknesses and where better could Read fast-track his development than by joining Liverpool and reuniting with his former coach.

In addition, if Trent were to leave Liverpool, then Conor Bradley could step up at right-back straight away, easing the pressure and expectation on a young player like Read.

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We'll have to wait and see if Slot decides to point Liverpool in the direction of Read, but he already looks like an extraordinary talent that would be an incredibly useful asset for the Reds to employ.

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