Liverpool Identify Leading Candidate to Replace Trent Alexander-Arnold

Frimpong Emerges as Key Option as Reds Prepare for Life After Trent

It’s the kind of news that sends ripples through any football club – especially one like Liverpool, where tradition, identity, and loyalty carry such massive weight. After months of speculation, it’s now official: Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to leave Liverpool when his contract expires this summer. The homegrown right-back, who has been a defining part of the Jurgen Klopp era, is expected to join Real Madrid in what could be one of the biggest free transfer coups of the decade.

The reaction on Merseyside? Understandably, a mixture of sadness, shock, and quiet excitement about what comes next. Because while losing Trent will leave a huge void in the Liverpool defence – and in the club’s heart – there’s already talk of a “leading candidate” to step into his boots.

Jeremie Frimpong: A Target Worth Watching

The name at the top of Liverpool’s shortlist? Jeremie Frimpong. The 23-year-old Dutch international has been on the radar at Anfield for some time now, and with the summer window looming, he’s being looked at more seriously than ever.

Frimpong has just helped Bayer Leverkusen to a stunning season under Xabi Alonso, showing blistering pace, creativity in attack, and a solid defensive shift – all things Liverpool fans will miss when Trent makes his exit. His ability to bomb forward and link play, while still getting back to do the dirty work, makes him a stylistic fit for the club’s up-tempo game.

What’s more, Frimpong’s contract includes a release clause believed to be around £30 million – a fee that feels like a bargain in today’s market, especially for a player entering his prime. It’s no surprise that clubs across Europe are circling, but Liverpool remain one of the frontrunners for his signature.

Slot Puts Faith in Conor Bradley – For Now

However, new boss Arne Slot – set to take the reins from Jurgen Klopp this summer – may not immediately push for a big-money signing at right-back. That’s because Slot has been reportedly impressed by the development of Conor Bradley, another product of Liverpool’s academy who has shown maturity beyond his years when called upon this season.

Bradley earned his stripes in the domestic cups and showed flashes of real quality when deputising for Trent. He’s aggressive, intelligent, and fearless – all traits Slot is believed to value highly. So, while Frimpong remains a real option, there’s every chance Slot starts next season with Bradley as his first-choice right-back.

That said, relying solely on the 20-year-old could be a risk, especially considering the number of competitions Liverpool are expected to be involved in. Injuries, rotation, and form fluctuations are inevitable. That’s where depth becomes crucial – and Frimpong could provide exactly that.

Balancing the Books: Striker and Centre-Back Also on the List

Another reason the Reds haven’t yet pulled the trigger on Frimpong? Simple – priorities.

Liverpool’s recruitment team, led by Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, are believed to have their eyes firmly set on a new striker to bolster the squad for Slot’s attacking philosophy. With Roberto Firmino long gone, Darwin Núñez still inconsistent, and Mohamed Salah’s future uncertain, adding another reliable goal-getter seems to be the top priority.

Then there’s the matter of a centre-back. Joel Matip has departed, and while Virgil van Dijk remains a colossus at the back, age and fitness concerns are creeping in. Jarell Quansah has emerged as a promising young talent, but more experience in the backline is clearly needed.

The feeling around the club is that these two positions will eat up a significant portion of the summer transfer budget. Only after those areas are addressed will the club seriously assess whether to activate Frimpong’s release clause.

Cover Options: Gomez and Quansah Could Also Move

Beyond Bradley, Liverpool do have other options at right-back – but none are ideal fits. Joe Gomez has played the position before and done so reliably. However, he is naturally a centre-back, and recent whispers suggest he could be open to a move away in search of regular football. Jarell Quansah, meanwhile, is raw and better suited centrally, despite his athleticism and versatility.

If either of those players leaves, that could accelerate Liverpool’s plans in the market. The club won’t want to be left short in defence, particularly with a new manager trying to implement fresh ideas and facing a fixture pile-up from day one.

Frimpong’s Style Could Suit Slot’s Vision

Slot, who built his reputation in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord, is known for encouraging quick transitions, attacking full-backs, and high-intensity pressing – all hallmarks of modern football. In that sense, Frimpong feels like a tailor-made signing.

He’s not quite a like-for-like replacement for Trent – let’s face it, nobody is – but he offers a different kind of threat. Whereas Trent would often drift into midfield and dictate play with his passing range, Frimpong is more direct, more vertical in his movement, and less involved in build-up, but more dangerous in the final third.

That shift could be exactly what Liverpool need in a post-Klopp world. Different doesn’t always mean worse – and Slot will no doubt relish the chance to shape the team in his image.

A New Era Dawns at Anfield

Change is in the air at Anfield. The departure of Jurgen Klopp after nine trophy-laden seasons is a massive moment in itself. But when you add Trent’s exit to the mix, it starts to feel like the closing chapter of an era that reshaped modern Liverpool.

Still, with change comes opportunity. The chance to try new systems, bet on youth, and discover new heroes. Whether Frimpong becomes the next great Liverpool right-back or whether Conor Bradley rises to the occasion, the sense of anticipation is unmistakable.

One thing’s for sure: Liverpool won’t go quietly. The club has rebuilt before and come back stronger. This summer could be the start of another exciting journey.