Arne Slot believes Liverpool have answer to Achraf Hakimi who can replace Trent Alexander-Arnold

Arne Slot believes Liverpool have answer to Achraf Hakimi who can replace Trent Alexander-Arnold

For the first time in a decade, Liverpool are contemplating signing a senior right-back as Trent Alexander-Arnold prepares to leave

Arne Slot, head coach of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on April 09, 2025 (Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images )

It speaks to the influence and importance of Trent Alexander-Arnold that Liverpool are forced to contemplate signing a senior right-back for the first time in a decade this summer.

Having initially added Nathaniel Clyne from Southampton in the summer of 2015, the emergence of Alexander-Arnold under Jurgen Klopp meant the Reds haven't needed to bring in a specialist in that area of the pitch since.

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The capture of Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen in the summer of 2022 was completed with one eye on the future, while the likes of James Milner and Joe Gomez have previously deputised whenever Alexander-Arnold has been unavailable.

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The subsequent rise of Conor Bradley also means Liverpool may not necessarily need to bring in a first-team starter in the position for next season and beyond, but Monday's confirmation of Alexander-Arnold's end-of-season exit means it is at least a prospect that must be given some thought inside the corridors of power at the AXA Training Centre.

Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong has been linked and with a £30m release clause inserted into his contract with the Bundesliga side, a move for the Netherlands international appeals to some. It was reported this week that the Dutchman would be open to a move to Merseyside, should the Reds formalise any interest.

Arne Slot need only ask the likes of Cody Gakpo, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch for a detailed breakdown of his compatriot's character, should a more thorough assessment be needed, but the Reds boss also has a bulging contacts book across Dutch football to give an external opinion on the 24-year-old.

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Monaco's 23-year-old Brazilian Vanderson is also another whose name has been linked with the Reds, with the defender said to be valued at under £30m by the Ligue 1 club. Alan Shearer, meanwhile, believes Denzel Dumfries, of Champions League finalists Inter, would be suited to succeed Alexander-Arnold.

With the Reds about to lose a player who has made over 350 Premier League appearances, speculation around the right-back spot is only expected to increase as we head towards the summer transfer window.

For Slot, though, he is only focusing, publicly at least, on his current complement of players, with Conor Bradley set to be given the chance to prove he can remain fit and fulfill his undoubted promise. Slot confirmed on Friday the Northern Ireland international is set to be given the final three games to show what he can do ahead of a future that won't contain Alexander-Arnold.

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"I think you will not be surprised if I say everyone gets a programme over the summer, [but] Conor has such an intense playing style," Slot says of Bradley, who will start when the Reds entertain Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

"They all run a lot. But Conor (laughing) is in his own league when it comes to running a lot. Comparable maybe with Achraf Hakimi at PSG, he is everywhere during the game. But Hakimi is 26 I think. He is much more used to doing this every single week.

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"He needs time, Conor, and a good programme to keep him fit. He is not the only one who has not been a regular starter who has had some injuries this season, look at Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott.

"The ones who are not regular starters, it is harder to keep them fit than the ones who are. If Conor is going to be the regular starter next season, that could maybe help him as well. I think he had 10, 15 or 20 games when Trent was injured last season…let’s hope that has a positive impact on his fitness as well."

Another internal option remains Gomez, whose decade-long service at Anfield will be marked later this year. The versatile defender hasn't featured in the Premier League since December, however, and Slot is unsure if his season is over after he suffered a setback on his return from a hamstring injury just 11 minutes into February's FA Cup defeat at Plymouth Argyle.

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Slot adds: "He is becoming closer and closer [to returning]. He is joining training sessions at the moment, he has been out for a long time. The last part of rehab is the hardest. I cannot guarantee it but he is getting closer and closer."

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