Liverpool will be hard-pushed to deliver an improvement on this season during the 2025/26 campaign.
The Reds have been terrific throughout the year, securing the Premier League title with four games left to play.
But although it may be hard to replicate such dominance next term, the hope is that Liverpool can get even better as Arne Slot starts to chisel out his vision and sign some of his own players.
That will begin with Slot needing to make a change at right-back. After 20 years with Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to depart.
For all the noise surrounding Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid, the basic fact is that Slot will have to find a solution at right-back.
With Conor Bradley expected to make the step up to regular starter, former Liverpool full-back Steve Nicol has given his verdict on why this could actually be good news for Reds supporters.
Steve Nicol expects defensive improvement from Liverpool
Liverpool fans have a right to be upset with Alexander-Arnold and the manner in which he has handled his exit this summer.
However, when it all boils down, the main frustration is that the Reds are actually losing a top quality footballer.
According to Nicol, though, Liverpool supporters should focus on the positives. And in his view, one of those is that the Reds could actually be stronger defensively without Alexander-Arnold in the team.
“You’re never going to replicate and you never do replicate when you bring a different player in,” he says. “What you’ve got to concentrate on is the positive things they give you as a team and then you adjust from there.”
“There’s no question that from a defensive point of view they’re going to be a million times better. You’re going to lose that incredible passing range, but Conor Bradley in the short period of time that he’s played in the first team has shown that going forward he’s capable as well.
“He [Bradley] actually has all the tools,” adds Nicol. “My only worry for him is if he can stay fit. For a young man he’s had some injuries in the time that he’s broken in until now.
“But if he can stay fit I have absolutely no problem at all in thinking that Conor Bradley will be Liverpool’s right-back for the foreseeable future.”
Nicol shares hope for Alexander-Arnold farewell
Although Nicol has suggested that he is no fan of Alexander-Arnold from a defensive standpoint, the Liverpool legend says he does not subscribe to the anger directed towards the No. 66.
Asked whether he thinks Alexander-Arnold will be afforded a ‘warm send-off’ from the Liverpool supporters in two weeks’ time, Nicol shared his wish.
“I hope so,” he answered. “All this nonsense about how he should be staying, no, come on. How about look at it the other way around. Look at the service he’s given Liverpool, he cost them absolutely nothing. It goes both ways.
“The club have absolutely benefitted from Alexander-Arnold playing for Liverpool and Alexander-Arnold has absolutely benefitted as well by playing for Liverpool. So, how about give him a nice round of applause, a clap, whatever you want, buy him a beer, I don’t care, but make sure it’s a good send-off.”
We are not completely convinced Nicol will get his wish, but it’s worth saying that he isn’t alone in hoping Alexander-Arnold is able to leave with some kind of dignity intact.
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