Three Options To Replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool

While nothing is yet set in stone, Trent Alexander-Arnold's impending free transfer to Real Madrid could possibly be the worst-kept secret in football. At the end of March, numerous media outlets announced that both the player and club had come closer to agreeing terms on a deal, and to many Reds supporters, that was the final nail in the coffin. Whether you like it or not, Liverpool's beloved number 66 will soon be on his way.

Trent has been the latest in a long line of Liverpool's youth set-up's success stories. After breaking into the first team as a teenager, the right back has since gone on to rack up 350 appearances for his boyhood club, netting 22 goals and winning every prize available to him. Online odds providers make it a near-certainty that he will add a second Premier League title before departing for the Bernabeu.

After a stellar maiden campaign under Dutch manager Arne Slot, the Reds have built up a mighty 13-point lead at the top of the table with just six games remaining. As such, the latest online soccer odds price the runaway league leaders as a whopping 1/500 favourite to seal the deal in the next few weeks, proving Alexander-Arnold with the perfect leaving present.

There has certainly been a lot of excitement about Liverpool’s current position from the bookies as a result of all that.

But the fact remains that one of Liverpool's homegrown sensations will leave the club sooner rather than later... well, on June 30th to be precise. So, who are the candidates to replace him as right back? Let's take a look. 

Conor Bradley 

Well, it might be the boring option, but the fact is Liverpool already has a tailor-made replacement ready for Trent Alexander-Arnold in the form of current understudy Conor Bradley. The 21-year-old has proven to be a reliable second in command when the Real Madrid-bound star has been sidelined with an injury, and he will perhaps feel that he has earned the first crack of the whip out on the right-hand touchline.

The Northern Irishman already has over 50 appearances to his name across the last two seasons, and now is the time for him to stake his place as the undisputed first choice. He was one of the stars of the show at the start of the season, shining in the 2-0 win against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League earlier in the campaign and leaving a crunching challenge on Kylian Mbappe in the process. While supporters might prefer a bigger name, there aren't too many better options in Europe today than academy product Bradley.

Jeremie Frimpong

Don't just take our word for it; take the word of UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett. The proud scouser was recently asked for his Liverpool transfer wishlist this summer, and at the top of it was Bayer Leverkusen right back Jeremie Frimpong. Perhaps the Baddy should be looking for a job in the Reds' scouting team in addition to his knockout work in the Octagon.

The Dutch right back is arguably one of the finest attacking full-backs on the planet at present. Last season, he was a key performer as Xabi Alonso's side romped to the Bundesliga title for the first time in the club's history. But Die Werkself didn't just claim the Meisterschale; they did it in a fashion that perennial champions Bayern Munich have never been able to... without losing a single game.

Frimpong was key to that, netting 14 times and providing a further 12 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions. This season, the goals have dried up somewhat, but the assists remain, and at 24 years of age, he still has plenty of time to develop further.

The highly reputable Transfermarkt.com currently values the Dutchman at €50m, and that fee might make the powers that be in the Liverpool transfer committee wince. But Frimpong is a proven commodity with experience at the highest level. The investment would certainly be a worthwhile one, and there have been rumours recently that a deal could be in the offing.

Ola Aina

If the club would prefer a cheaper option, then they should look no further than Nottingham Forest man Ola Aina. The 28-year-old has been in inspired form this season, leading his current team to third place in the table even though they were considered relegation candidates in preseason. His displays this season have been so impressive that he was selected in Jamie Carragher's team of the season back in January.

While Aina might not be the number one option for many Reds supporters, he would certainly be the economical one. Much like the departing Trent, the 46-time Nigeria international will be out of contract at the end of the season, meaning that he could move to Anfield on a free transfer. His displays this term have certainly placed him in the shop window, and it could be astute business for the Reds to bring him to Merseyside.