Report: Which player Liverpool have now identified as their long-term replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold
03/24/2025 06:00 AM
Liverpool are set for a big summer, with one of the most important questions being who should be signed to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The 26-year-old right-back has been one of Liverpool’s most important players ever since breaking into Jurgen Klopp’s first-team squad as a teenager, with Alexander-Arnold since going on to redefine the fullback role and what a player in that position is capable of.
Yet with Alexander-Arnold likely to join Real Madrid this summer, a replacement is needed at Liverpool, a task that could be even greater than finding the right successor for Klopp, a mission the Reds got right first-time around with Slot.
However, it appears that Liverpool have identified a player who could become Alexander-Arnold’s long-term successor at Anfield.
Givairo Read earmarked as Liverpool’s next long-term right-back
According to CaughtOffside, Feyenoord defender Givairo Read has been identified by Liverpool as their next long-term right-back after Alexander-Arnold, with the Reds big fans of the teenage defender going into the summer.
Liverpool have been linked with Read already this year with FC Barcelona also interested in signing the 18-year-old Dutch right-back, who has enjoyed a breakout season in the Netherlands with the Rotterdam giants.
| Givairo Read’s 2024/25 Feyenoord stats | Games played | Goals | Assists |
| Eredivisie | 17 | 0 | 6 |
| KNVB Cup | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Johan Cruyff Shield | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| UEFA Champions League | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 24 | 1 | 7 |
With seven assists in 24 games for Feyenoord already this season, Read is putting up numbers that would explain why the Liverpool are interested in the Netherlands youth international as a long-term replacement for Alexander-Arnold.
And with Liverpool having the Slot factor working in their favour, signing Read could be a cakewalk for the Anfield side, even with the threat of Barcelona looking over the Reds heading into this transfer battle.
Are Liverpool taking a risk in targeting Givairo Read?
Targeting an 18-year-old defender who has only played half a season of first-team football is certainly a bold approach from Liverpool when deciding who to sign as their long-term replacement for a player as good as Alexander-Arnold.
However, the risk could end up paying off big time, with Slot’s judgement one that needs to be trusted by Liverpool as they head into the summer and start looking through which players would suit the Dutchman for next season.
With Liverpool also having Conor Bradley, there is already a safety net for Alexander-Arnold’s departure, and bringing in Read to learn the ropes for a year or two could be a smart decision in the seasons to come for the Anfield side.
