2024/25 could be a truly magical season for Liverpool, but some of the excitement from a trophy-laden season could wear off in the summer.
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold all have contract situations that need to be resolved. Optimistic supporters hope the triumvirate will commit their future to Anfield, but there is a very real possibility that Arne Slott will enter 2025/26 without at least one talismanic figure. .
Alexander-Arnold is most likely to leave.
A revolutionary full-back who won many games with his boyhood club, Liverpool supporters will never begrudge their hometown superstar succumbing to the lure of Real Madrid. What would you do if Jude Bellingham whispered sweet things in your ear?
Replacing such a unique football player is an impossible task, but once Trent’s future becomes clear, it could be right in front of Michael Edwards.
Here are five potential replacements for Alexander-Arnold that Liverpool should consider.
Arne Slott worked with Gertruida at Feyenoord/Sylvia Rohr/Getty Images
Geertruida was slot captain at Feyenoord, but there were subtle reports in the summer that Liverpool’s new manager was “intending” to bring the Dutch full-back to Anfield.
However, the transfer did not materialize and Geertruida signed with RB Leipzig instead.
The 24-year-old has shown great versatility in Saxony and manager Marco Rose has slotted him into Leipzig’s back four. In the slot, Guia Truida generally played the conservative right-back role, but the manager will also encourage him to play infield, where he has certainly proven to be comfortable.
Given his contrasting player profile to Alexander-Arnold, Geatoruida’s arrival would force quite a dynamic change at Slott, but the Liverpool manager is keen to reunite with a reliable and familiar face. It might be.
Kimmich’s contract expires in the summer/Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Kimmich has generally struggled in recent years, but there is an argument that his best recent form came when manager Thomas Tuchel moved him back to right-back in the second half of the 2023-24 season. You can do it too.
Coach Vincent Kompany has allowed Kimmich to play in midfield and the German has shown several times this term that he remains a special footballer. His performance against RB Leipzig just before the winter break was particularly impressive and served as a reminder of the threat he offers as a playmaker from deep.
In that sense, Kimmich may be able to compensate for Trent’s departure to some extent, but given that he is likely to have multiple clubs in front of him once his contract with Bayern Munich expires in June, it is likely that Kimmich will be at Liverpool. Would he choose to play at right-back? He wants to play in midfield.
Slott may need some convincing as the German would be a great replacement. He’s not your typical Edwards player, but Liverpool will need a leader if they can’t retain the Three Musketeers.
Frimpong was previously linked with a move to Anfield/ANP/GettyImages
It has been a while since Frimpong has played in a back four, but Slott is unlikely to change tack for the Dutchman. However, Bayer Leverkusen’s link with the wing-back continues until 2024.
Frimpong was a key player in Xabi Alonso’s history-making side last season and has continued to be a mainstay on the right-wing this season.
The wing-back is an incredibly dynamic and reliable contributor to the final third, but he approaches his job in a markedly different way than Alexander-Arnold.
Frimpong is not exactly a smooth playmaker from deep. His best work comes when he gets on the overlap, links up with creators in the half-spaces, and drills the ball across the box. The Dutchman can also score a lot of goals (14 goals in all competitions last season).
Taking on Alexander-Arnold’s current role will severely limit his skillset, but Slott will no doubt tinker with his system to ensure Frimpong gets ample opportunity in the senior position.
Polo has some stylistic similarities to Alexander-Arnold/Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Liverpool fans may scoff at the prospect of signing Polo, who endured a tough season in 2024-25, but the Spaniard’s decline in form is mainly due to his lack of playing demands over the past 18 months. This may be due to the huge amount of time spent.
There are stylistic similarities between Polo and Alexander-Arnold. These two are excellent technicians who can solve defenses with their best passing ranges, but their defensive abilities are understandably questionable. However, Polo are perhaps being criticized harshly in this regard, while Trent has mostly defended well in 2024/25, but was dismal against Manchester United.
Polo’s Premier League experience is well worth it and if Liverpool intend to replace their outstanding right-back with a player of a similar profile, the Spanish international will be their man of choice. Maybe.
Bradley could take on a starting role/Pedro Salado/Getty Images
Some Liverpool supporters will argue that given the level at which Bradley has stepped into the top flight, there is no need for the club to spend big.
The academy graduate had a great long-term role last season and is already starring on the Reds’ biggest stage.
Bradley is a well-rounded full-back who excels in all phases. He is a much stricter defender than Trent and is better when venturing into the final third. Bradley is more of a runner and combiner than a passer, but he’s still proving himself within the slot’s current framework.
The 21-year-old looks ready to fill a potential hole, and Liverpool’s summer right-back search may instead focus on providing backup for Bradley.
