Paul Merson says Trent Alexander-Arnold is about to make life much harder for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool

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Liverpool are looking to finish the Premier League season in style as they chase a second title in six campaigns.

The Reds have put themselves in a remarkable position with just seven games to go and look likely to lift their 20th championship trophy in May.

One of the major architects of their terrific season has been Mohamed Salah, who is both top scorer and top assister in the Premier League this term.

Salah signed a new contract on Friday to keep him at Liverpool until 2027 and will look to continue his remarkable consistency next season.

However, one year older and with the disruption of AFCON in 2025/26, things may become harder for the Egyptian.

And according to Paul Merson, the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold – who is set to depart for Real Madrid – is going to really impact Salah’s effectiveness at Liverpool.

Mohamed Salah set to miss Trent Alexander-Arnold

Salah and Alexander-Arnold have been Liverpool’s starters on the right side since 2017. The pair have enjoyed a sensational partnership together.

And once Trent takes his leave this summer, Merson has argued that Salah’s life is about to get much harder.

“If I was playing right wing, I know who I’d want playing at right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold,” Merson told Sky Sports on Saturday.

“I’d rather someone like him playing there than an out-and-out defender. Because Salah doesn’t come back, that’s why he’s been successful. You don’t see him really defending on the edge of his box, running the length of the pitch. So, he will miss Trent 100 per cent.”

READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold injury update on whether Liverpool star can return this month

“Teams will double up on Salah now because they won’t have to worry about the right-back,” Merson continued. “The right-back won’t hurt them like Trent can.

“So, that player who marks Trent will drop back and stop Salah and double up and they’ll let that player have the ball. You can’t do that with Trent because he will absolutely destroy you. But whoever comes and plays there now, they’ll just double up. He’ll find it hard next season, it will be harder next season 100 per cent.”

Who will be playing at right-back?

All of this is assuming Alexander-Arnold leaves, of course. But at this point, it would have to take an almighty U-turn for that not to happen.

Thankfully, Liverpool aren’t having to redesign their whole right side, but it is going to be strange to see a different player behind Salah from next season.

Conor Bradley has played plenty over the past two season, mind you, and common consensus is that Bradley will be given a chance to become Liverpool’s long-term right-back.

However, the 21-year-old has become a little injury prone and Liverpool will need another option regardless of whether he’s first choice.

A range of players have been linked, from bigger names like Jeremie Frimpong to under the radar options like Givairo Read and Kiliann Sildillia. Either way, it’s going to take some adapting from Mo without his mate.