Liverpool transfer news as Conor Bradley's most recent standout display leaves Trent Alexander-Arnold exit question to be answered
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool contract situation might be impacted by Conor Bradley's rise(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
In less than five weeks, Trent Alexander-Arnold will be able to start negotiating a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of England. It is a timeline that has been looming for Liverpool for some time.
Alexander-Arnold, as has been well-documented, is not the only player in this position. Mohamed Salah (most publicly) and Virgil van Dijk are in the same position. While the club would like to keep all three players, fans are yet to get the news they have been craving. It means that in just over 30 days there is a possibility - albeit an extremely slim one at this stage - that the trio all have new sides for next season lined up and decided.
Salah has so far been loudest on the subject, at least recently, anyway. Van Dijk has made clear murmurs of remaining at Anfield. Unlike those two, Alexander-Arnold reportedly already has a team courting for him.
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It was ironic, therefore, that he was the player to miss Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Real Madrid. Los Blancos are in desperate need of a new right-back and have had their eyes on Alexander-Arnold for some time, hoping, more than anything, that this situation might play out and leave them the chance to swoop in for free.
Conor Bradley couldn't have timed his most noteworthy Liverpool display any better, then. He was one of several to really put a marker down against Madrid. Notably crunching through Kylian Mbappe with a tackle for the ages.
Bradley's effective cover for Alexander-Arnold whilst the latter is recovering from injury has seen his continued rise not only needed but applauded. There is a real chance that Liverpool find themselves needing a new starting right-back and right now Bradley is doing a brilliant job at staking a claim to be that guy.
So, do the 21-year-old's performances change how Liverpool should approach talks with Alexander-Arnold? And how does that impact the priority in which they address both Salah and Van Dijk's dilemma?
Here, the ECHO writers discuss the right-back pecking order and contract conundrum facing the Anfield hierarchy.
Tom Coley
It would be a surprise if one game - no matter how impressive - changed things too much for Liverpool but Bradley certainly can't be doing much more to make his position clear given the circumstances. The argument, though, is that as opposed to Van Dijk and Salah, Liverpool already have a strong backup right-back they perhaps lack in the other two's positions.
Does that really influence who they give contract priority to? It's not easy to say. There are too many political angles to this in terms of making a move towards one player first, the money involved, and who actually is pursued the most.
Alexander-Arnold might be the most replaceable because it is easier to find quality full-backs compared to elite level wingers and centre-backs, especially when it comes to the price as well, but he is also the most unique. Goalscoring attackers do exist - although not many on Salah's level - as do dominating defenders. There are very few who offer the blend of skills Alexander-Arnold has.
The fact that Bradley isn't exactly stylistically similar to his teammate is interesting as well. Bradley is more of a straight-lines footballer, an up-and-down player rather than someone to invert and ping a David Beckham-style ball across the pitch or through a defence.
If Liverpool see it the same way then maybe it will be Salah and Van Dijk who they look at resolving first. That's probably not down to Bradley, but he has had a role in offering the best comfort blanket.
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Isaac Johnson
I don't think Bradley's performances change the importance of tying Alexander-Arnold down to a new deal - it is still imperative he stays at Anfield given his irreplaceable quality.
But given Bradley's output, I do think Liverpool could survive better without their No.66 more so than they would without Van Dijk or Salah - that is to say, he would create less of a hole in the team.
Of course, the club must still do everything to keep him on. Keeping local lads in the team sends a message to the next wave of academy talent that Liverpool are top of tree in the football food chain, that playing at Anfield is the pinnacle.
With Alexander-Arnold aged 26, he has far more longevity to offer than Van Dijk and Salah, never mind the immense talent he boasts. The importance of getting him to stay remains unchanged, but the repercussions of him leaving are perhaps softened by Bradley's emergence.
Isaac Seelochan
Whilst Conor Bradley has impressed for Liverpool, he's not as complete a player as Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Reds have two very good options at right-back but would be severely weakened if Trent left.
Few defenders have the same passing range and ability on the ball. It's one of the key reasons why Liverpool have looked so impressive under Arne Slot.
Criticism of his defending has been forgotten about a bit with Slot seemingly finding a way to protect him. It feels inevitable that Alexander-Arnold will leave in the summer though and join Real Madrid.
Arne Slot (L) speaks with Trent Alexander-Arnold (R) after he leaves the game injured, during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield
Kieran King
For me, Liverpool must try and keep hold of Trent Alexander-Arnold, despite Conor Bradley's impressive performance against Real Madrid in midweek. Alexander-Arnold has been excellent over a sustained period of time, helping the Reds win the Champions League, Premier League and countless other trophies.
Although I would say that keeping Mohamed Salah is more of a priority at this stage, Alexander-Arnold is not far behind and Liverpool cannot afford to lose someone of his talent and quality, let alone for free. I think Alexander-Arnold gets into any team in world football, that's how good he is.
There's nothing to suggest that Bradley can't do in that in years to come, but I just don't know whether it's worth taking the risk and letting Alexander-Arnold go based on Bradley's performance against Real.
Amie Wilson
Bradley’s performance against Real Madrid puts Liverpool in a better position regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold, but it shouldn’t change their own approach to the situation.
If Alexander-Arnold does leave on a free transfer at the end of the season, then they are still losing a key player, even if they do have a ready-made replacement to step in. It’s something that they should look to avoid.
At just 21-years-old Bradley still has time on his hands. Training alongside Alexander-Arnold will only benefit the player - another advantage of the full-back staying at Anfield.
Even if Alexander-Arnold signs for example for another three years, Bradley will still only be 24 by the end of that deal. That may then be the time to take a different approach, but right now, Arne Slot should look to keep as many of his key players as he can, and that includes Alexander-Arnold.