Liverpool are bracing for a major shift in their defensive ranks as Trent Alexander-Arnold edges closer to a sensational move to Real Madrid.
The departure of one of the club’s biggest stars is a bitter pill to swallow for Reds fans, following in the footsteps of Michael Owen and Steve McManaman, who also swapped Anfield for the Bernabeu.
With Alexander-Arnold seemingly on his way out, speculation has been rife about who could step up and fill the void.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong has been repeatedly linked as a potential replacement, but according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool already have their answer – and it’s Conor Bradley.
Liverpool ready to hand Bradley the starting role
Speaking on the Here We Go Podcast, Romano revealed that Liverpool have immense confidence in Bradley’s ability to step into Alexander-Arnold’s role and become a key player in Arne Slot’s squad.
“In terms of right-back, what I’m hearing is that they are very happy with Conor Bradley. They believe that Conor Bradley can be part of this future Liverpool squad. They believe he’s a huge talent,” Romano reports.
While Bradley has already impressed in limited game time, stepping into a full-time starting role for Liverpool is a different challenge altogether.
However, Romano insists that the club believes the 20-year-old has the mentality and ability to handle the pressure.
He continued: “The responsibility of being the starting right-back at Liverpool is going to be completely different, but they feel this boy has everything in place in order to become an important player for Arne Slot.”
Bradley’s breakout moment: The Anfield faithful have spoken
One of the defining moments in Bradley’s rise came in Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid this season. Romano recalled a particular tackle from Bradley that sent the Anfield crowd into a frenzy – an indicator of just how much the fanbase is already behind him.
“There was a tackle from Conor Bradley and the reaction from the crowd, the reaction from Anfield, I think was the perfect start of a new story. That moment shows how Liverpool as a club, but also as a fan base, is ready to trust this boy, is ready to trust Conor Bradley,” Romano said.
What this means for Liverpool’s transfer plans
Despite reports linking Frimpong and other high-profile right-backs to Liverpool, Romano’s update suggests the club won’t be rushing to find an external replacement for Alexander-Arnold.
Instead, they appear set to place their full faith in Bradley’s development.
While the young full-back will have big shoes to fill, Liverpool’s belief in him speaks volumes.
The Northern Irishman now has the opportunity to make the right-back position his own, and if his performances continue to excite the Anfield faithful, he could be the next long-term defensive star in Liverpool’s illustrious history.