As far as Anfield legend Sammy Lee is concerned, Arne Slot does not have far to look to find Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ideal Liverpool successor.
The Premier League leaders have a ‘fantastic’ talent in Conor Bradley already, Lee says.
Now, the Northern Ireland international may be more prime Andy Robertson than Trent Alexander-Arnold in terms of style – a shuttling, busy presence down the flank in comparison to the effortless elegance of the 2019 Champions League winner – but Bradley’s stunning emergence over the last 18 months or so could certainly save Liverpool a pretty penny in the summer window too.
Presuming that Liverpool have already saved in the region of £200 million by not needing to replace either Mo Salah or Virgil van Dijk – both signed new deals this month – Slot seems well-placed to continue this season’s success story into the next one without the need for a substantial overhaul.
Yet, as the aforementioned Sammy Lee is also keen to point out, the destination of titles are often decided by the strength of your squad, not merely your starting XI.
Givairo Read signs Feyenoord deal as Liverpool face Trent Alexander-Arnold frustration
The four-time First Division winner feels that, even if Bradley is promoted to first-choice following Alexander-Arnold’s anticipated switch to Real Madrid, Liverpool will need another right-back to compete with the youngster.
That could be, for instance, Wesley Franca. The young Brazilian will be allowed to leave Flamengo this summer.
Givairo Read has also entered the thinking. Arne Slot gave Read his debut at Feyenoord back in 2024, and remains a keen admirer.
With seven assists this term, the 19-year-old already appears to have unlocked the sort of pinpoint crossing ability Alexander-Arnold is most famous for.
But, while the Liverpool supporters wait in vain for Alexander-Arnold to follow Salah and Van Dijk in putting pen to paper, Givairo Read has brought an end to the uncertainty surrounding his own future, while explaining the decision to extend his stay at De Kuip until the summer of 2029.
“I feel really good here, so it wasn’t hard to think about,” Read tells the club’s in-house media channel.
“My move to Feyenoord [from FC Volendam in 2023] was a risk. We hesitated for a long time. In the end we chose this and it turned out to be the right choice. From the first minute, I felt at home.”
“[Head coach Robin van Persie] gives us a lot of confidence. We have a goal and we do everything for it. There are a lot of conversations and also discussions during training. That helps. It doesn’t matter how we achieve it, but we want to play in the Champions League again next season.”
Read is in no rush to leave Feyenoord for Arne Slot reunion
Feyenoord, like all Dutch clubs, tend to be limited by a shelf-life with regards to keeping their star players.
If Read continues at his current rate of development, the already £25 million-rated teenager will be following in the footsteps of Orkun Kokcu, Santiago Gimenez, Mats Wieffer, Luis Sinisterra and Liverpool favourite Dirk Kuyt before long.
But, clearly, he is no rush.
And, with Bradley waiting in the wings, neither should Liverpool be when it comes to bringing in a potentially wallet-busting Alexander-Arnold replacement.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
