Liverpool replace Trent Alexander-Arnold for NOTHING with massive move

Arne Slot might have found his replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold and it will have cost him nothing.

It seems almost inevitable that the Liverpool right-back will be moving to pastures new at the end of the season.

READ MORE: £100m? Liverpool will reject INSULTING price for brilliant striker

Alexander-Arnold's contract expires at the end of June and he is likely to join Real Madrid in what is expected to be a blockbuster summer move.

For Liverpool losing Alexander-Arnold will be a huge blow. He's a generational talent who is the club's vice captain and he's one of the longest serving members of the squad.

His experience and quality are going to be irreplaceable. But somehow, in some way, Slot and Richard Hughes will have to find a way to fill the void he leaves behind.

READ MORE: Porto made to pay for Luis Diaz transfer fee SHORTFALL

And that is exactly what Slot may already be working towards with a massive move against Everton in the derby.

Why Arne Slot will be replacing Alexander-Arnold for nothing with massive internal move

It was a crucial game for Liverpool on Wednesday night. After a long hiatus, Slot's men were back in action and they were looking to bounce back following back-to-back defeats prior to the international break.

Slot had to contend with a few headaches ahead of the game, most notably in the right-back position.

Neither Conor Bradley nor Alexander-Arnold were fit enough to play this game. Slot could have chosen Jarell Quansah as the most obvious solution to his headache.

But instead he went with a massive decision, picking Curtis Jones.

Jones was a surprise selection but Slot's big call might have inadvertently found his perfect replacement for Alexander-Arnold, not just for the present but for the long-term.

Jones played a sublime game, controlling and dictating the game from the right-back position. He had the best passing accuracy (93%) of any player on the pitch, completing 68 of his 73 of his passes.

It was interesting to see him often dropping into the middle and inverting in a similar role to what Lutsharel Geertruida played under Arne Slot last season at Feyenoord.

At the same time, having been a winger at academy level, Jones was able to make overlapping runs and provide support on the flanks as well.

He was surprisingly solid defensively, too, making eight recoveries and winning two out of his three duels.

Over the years, this isn't the first time he's filled in at right-back. Jurgen Klopp was the first to put Jones there almost five years ago in a League Cup game against Arsenal.

Jones replaced Roberto Firmino and was used as a makeshift right-back in the game at Anfield where the Reds ultimately lost out to the Gunners on penalties.

Two months later, Jones played 11 minutes in the Premier League against Brighton as a right-back as well.

Then last season, with the captain's armband on, Jones started a game at right back in the League Cup against Leicester City during a 3-1 victory.

He later also played around 50 minutes as a right-back last season in the Premier League against Burnley.

All together he competed in 19 defensive duels during these matches, winning 13 of them, averaging 10 recoveries per 90 minutes and making seven interceptions in total.

In all of these encounters, Jones showed enough quality to suggest this could be a position for him long-term.

READ MORE: Liverpool gifted BRILLIANT Liam Delap deal

Finding a replacement for Alexander-Arnold is not an easy task in the current market. Slot's best solution might be internal and Jones has shown he could be the perfect wildcard option.

Liverpool FC News Recap: Ekitike interest CONFIRMED as Reds learn of £21m clause