Exclusive with Graeme Bailey.
Liverpool are looking to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold’s by signing a more creative player, Rousing The Kop can exclusively reveal.
The Reds are set to lose Alexander-Arnold at the end of the season, with the right-back due to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Alexander-Arnold’s departure leaves Liverpool with only Conor Bradley as a natural senior right-back.
However, RTK understands that the Reds are currently assessing a number of different strategies in how to move forward in the position, including entering the transfer market.
Should Liverpool make a signing, though, it is unlikely to be a player in the mould of Alexander-Arnold.
Instead, the Reds will look to replace the 26-year-old’s creative output by bringing in a more inventive midfield option.
Liverpool looking to add creativity
Arne Slot suggested Liverpool have four options at right-back on Friday after claiming that Jarell Quansah, Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones can also help fill the hole left by Alexander-Arnold.
And RTK understands that Liverpool do internally view all three players – as well as Wataru Endo – as being potentially capable of playing at right-back.
However, with none boasting anything like the creativity of Alexander-Arnold, the Reds will look elsewhere to fill that void. To get a sense of who that player could be, RTK asked journalist and transfer expert Graeme Bailey what to expect.
“At right-back Liverpool’s main takeaway from losing Trent isn’t so much losing the right-back, because they’re very happy with Conor Bradley and the other options they have. The main takeaway is them losing the most creative player they think they have in the squad and how do they replace that,” says Bailey.
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“That’s why these links to No. 10’s are coming because it’s all about how do they get the creativity in. I wouldn’t rule someone like a Morgan Gibbs-White out.
“They need to replace Alexander-Arnold’s creativity and Liverpool think they need another option to do that rather than the current midfield. That’s why we’re seeing links to Xavi Simons and these types of players. I think they will bring a creative player in.”
Liverpool keen to keep hold of duo
Although Liverpool are not aiming to directly replace Alexander-Arnold in terms of skillset, they will still have to ensure they have options at right-back.
And while RTK understands they are evaluating options in the transfer market, this could yet mean Slot leaning on what he already has.
Having namechecked both Quansah and Gomez as players who could do a job on Friday, it’s understood that there is little appetite for Liverpool to lose either of the duo this summer.
Both have been linked with potential exits, but RTK has been informed that Liverpool are happy to keep Quansah and Gomez around next season.
Offers will be considered for either should they arrive, but Liverpool are not actively looking to move the pair on.
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