Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre was coated in glorious sunshine on Friday as journalists arrived for Arne Slot’s weekly press conference, many still digesting the news that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be leaving the club next season.
If club staff, pulling into the parking lot at a similar time, didn’t share the optimism and freedom that a balmy, late spring morning brings, that would be understandable. Everyone, including the player, wants to put this saga behind them now.
That’s idealistic given Alexander-Arnold is set to face a first Anfield reception on Sunday since the news broke, a trophy parade in the not-too-distant future and, of course, confirmation still to come of where the defender will end up. By the second answer in Friday’s media briefing, Slot all but admitted that Real Madrid will soon be the proud new owners of the world’s most creative full-back.
Liverpool’s question now is how to replace him. The answer, for many, is obvious: Conor Bradley. The Northern Irish defender has shown, at 21, he is more than capable of playing regular Premier League matches, even if there is a slight concern over whether he is ready to step up and play weekly for one of the world’s biggest clubs, and a much larger worry about his fitness levels and ability to stay injury-free.
Even Slot acknowledged that on Friday, with a thinly veiled message to Bradley that he needs to address his injury record: “Very talented player, Conor; unfortunately, hasn’t been fit through the season.
“To become a very good player you have to be available every week and that is the first step he has to take next season, but we have confidence in Conor as a very good full-back for Liverpool and that is already what he has shown.”
Bradley is clearly part of Slot’s plans next season – few doubted that – but could those comments be perceived as an early hint he will be first-choice right-back in the newly constructed 2025/26 side?
(Image: Liverpool FC)
Those looking to glean an insight into the Liverpool coach’s mindset may have been intrigued to hear him suggest the Reds already have four players capable of playing right-back, and that finding a new recruit in the transfer market isn’t always straightforward.
“I have played Conor Bradley and Curtis Jones over there, so four players [plus Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez] who can play that position. I agree only for one of them that is the ideal position. Joe Gomez can play there really well but his favourite position is center-back and for Jarell the same.
“I think it would be a surprise if I were to tell you now: ‘Yes, we are looking at this and looking at that’,” Slot added, on summer transfer plans. “We don’t talk about contracts here so we don’t talk about the positions or if we want to improve the team in certain areas.
“It is not easy to find better players than we already have. And if they are there, then they still need to be affordable and need to want to come. That last thing is mostly not a problem, by the way, but sometimes transfer fees are.”
(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
There was also confirmation that Bradley will start on Sunday against Arsenal as he “needs playing time to get some games under his belt and to be better prepared for next season”.
Preparing for next season certainly seems to be at the forefront of Slot’s mind – as was the case in last week’s press conference. That Bradley is central to that seems more likely after Friday’s remarks.
“The experience I have – and this club as well – is that if a very good player is leaving, the next very good player will step up, and that is probably what is going to happen now,” he said at the start of the media briefing, addressing Alexander-Arnold’s exit.
As for his departing right-back, how does Slot feel? He admitted to being “disappointed” by Alexander-Arnold’s decision, with no comments about understanding or relating to his decision. In fact, there was a minor indication that Slot isn’t hugely impressed by Real’s actions.
(Image: Getty Images)
“If my memory is correct, it only happens mostly with a certain club that brings free agents in and you don’t see it that much at other big clubs,” the Dutchman replied when asked whether he expects to see a greater number of free transfers in the coming years.
He also didn’t implore fans to give Alexander-Arnold a warm send-off – it seems he has read the room on this one. “I am not here to tell the fans how they should react. I will see Trent in a bit – the boys had a few days off – and I will wait and see how he feels about his announcement about leaving the club. I did speak to him on WhatsApp.
“Let’s wait and see but I’m not here to tell the fans how to react. We are all disappointed but Trent is the first one who said he would prefer us as a team and a club not to be not too much distracted by this announcement.”
Liverpool, Slot and Alexander-Arnold are, understandably, keen to move on. So, in all likelihood, is Bradley.
