'Liverpool gem massively boosted by Alexander-Arnold exit - not Conor Bradley'

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Arne Slot will be desperate for the Liverpool hierarchy to put together a search party to find Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement, despite the presence of Conor Bradley.

Real Madrid’s interest in the right-back has been well-documented over the last couple of seasons, with the most recent news suggesting all that remains is for Alexander-Arnold to sign along the dotted line at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Reds are likely to see the academy product leave Anfield for absolutely nothing once his contract expires at the end of the season, which would leave Slot without his preferred star at full-back.

With Bradley and Joe Gomez’s continuous injury concerns at Anfield, fans are unsurprisingly concerned by the position’s future, and the transfer market seems like the ideal place to delve into.

However, with Liverpool likely needing to fund replacements for Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and possibly a new striker, it might be tough to expect Fenway Sports Group to reach into their pockets any further.

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Slot could be without several of his current stars, who helped him all but win the Premier League title in his first season on Merseyside, but that was expected at some point following Jurgen Klopp‘s exit.

The Dutchman has every right to shape the squad for his own tactics and desires, with the likes of Darwin Nunez and Ibrahima Konate not expected to stay at Liverpool once the summer transfer window opens either.

While a fire sale would help free up some funds for Alexander-Arnold’s potential replacement, one player who will be absolutely against that idea will be 20-year-old Isaac Mabaya.

Isaac Mabaya to benefit greatly from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit

Many supporters will now have heard of the talented right-back in Liverpool’s academy, having earned his first-team debut during the surprise FA Cup defeat to Plymouth Argyle last month.

He has also been involved in the senior squad for the Champions League as well as continuing to shine for the Under-21s, and given his stats in recent seasons, it is easy to see why he might flourish under Slot.

While the youngster has yet to register a goal contribution this season, six goals and 12 assists in 38 Under-18s appearances stick out like a sore thumb, especially when the Reds are attempting to fill Alexander-Arnold’s boots.

Of course, it will be almost impossible to find a player on the planet capable of bringing the same attacking impact from right-back as the 26-year-old has done over the eight seasons.

But with several purchases already needing to be made, and most of Europe’s most elite right-backs at massive clubs, Mabaya might just be a simple answer to a rather difficult question.

Rather than expecting the academy graduate to accomplish exactly the same as his predecessor, give him the chance to prove himself at the very top level and watch him flourish in Slot’s new system.

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