Liverpool take MASSIVE chance on surprise choice to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool's surprise choice to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold could be lost. The Reds are taking a big risk.

Liverpool could well lose Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer. The right-back is out of contract at the end of the season and talk of a move to Real Madrid refuses to go away.

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In fact, at this stage, it feels quite likely that Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool. Both Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk - two players in the same situation - openly talk about their contracts and a desire to remain at Anfield.

Alexander-Arnold does not do the same and it's become notable. There's a difference between not wanting things to play out in public and the loudest silence you've ever heard.

But regardless of whether he eventually signs a new contract or not, Liverpool need to consider a replacement. The hope is that Conor Bradley will take over the first-choice right-back role but that would still leave the squad short in the position.

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UOL in Brazil reports that Liverpool are eyeing Wesley of Flamengo for that role. The youngster is an incredibly impressive full-back and you can read more about him here.

Though, Liverpool are taking a chance there. Not on the standard of player but rather on how they're going about the transfer.

Liverpool's Wesley risk

The report by UOL claims that Liverpool have honed in on Wesley but that they're waiting to see his impact at the Club World Cup this summer before making a move. If he stars for Flamengo, the Reds will move.

Now, we get it. It's an interesting tournament if a largely pointless one, and a solid performance from Wesley would leave Liverpool convinced.

Only, it will also leave an awful lot of other teams convinced. Wesley's price could skyrocket, while competition would rise.

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And Liverpool have already seen plenty of young Brazilian talents move elsewhere after their initial interest. They failed to sign both Rodryo and Endrick, for instance, despite getting there first.

This is all exacerbated by the fact that Liverpool would be unlikely to offer Wesley a starting role from the get-go. Bradley would have that spot and the Brazilian would need to fight for it.

Before that tournament, he may be more willing to accept such a role. But if he stars on the world stage? We're not so sure.

And the only way to avoid these problems is for Wesley not to have a good tournament. In that case, Liverpool probably wouldn't move at all.

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We think Liverpool are taking a chance here that may not actually benefit them. If they think Wesley is 'the one', then getting a deal done before the Club World Cup surely makes more sense.

Perhaps there's more to this, of course, and we should probably give Liverpool the benefit for the doubt. Because as things stand, we're worried they're being too cautious for their own good.

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