A Liverpool veteran has recommended that Trent Alexander-Arnold, the vice captain, be sold to Real Madrid during the summer. 

Since he burst into the scene with Liverpool in the 2017–18 season, Alexander-Arnold has been regarded by many as one of the top right backs in the world.

The England international has been a key component of Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp, receiving worldwide recognition for his crossing and deadball skills in addition to a record-breаking amount of assists. As a result of his value to the club and his popularity among the supporters due to his local ties, he is arguably the most well-liked player at Anfield and is probably unsellable. 

However, Steve Nicol, who played for the Reds for 14 years on Merseyside, has hinted that his shortcomings defensively would be a reason to let him go and replace him with Conor Bradley.  

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defending abilities have come into question throughout his career

The emergence of Conor Bradley does present something of a problem for Jurgen Klopp’s successor

According to Steve Nicol of ESPN, Liverpool ought to think about offloading Alexander-Arnold to create room for Bradley”It doesn’t matter who you back.” The legendary Reds player told ESPN that Trent Alexander-Arnold is not a good defender.

“If Madrid were to make an offer of, sаy, £60, £70, or £80 million when you have a young player in Conor Bradley, who is a great forward and defender but on par with Trent,”

The defender’s contract expires at the end of the following season, and earlier this week, Mail Sport’s Liverpool Confidential blog revealed that Los Blancos were considering a bid for him.

Despite how strong of a weapon Alexander-Arnold becomes in the future, criticisms of poor defensive abilities have seemingly dogged his career.

This is not the first time this season that Nicol has made some extremely critical remarks about Alexander-Arnold’s ability to defend.

“Alexander-Arnold is a liability defensively, despite his greatness on the ball going forward,” the Scot remarked following Liverpool’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal on the road in February.

“He’s not able to stop [Gabriel] Martinelli from getting the ball today, and he can’t defend one-on-one.”

‘[Ibrahima] Konate finds himself juggling two jobs. He must cover the right back position all the time in addition to playing center back.

The Reds defender is reported to be of interest to Real Madrid with his contract up next year

Bradley, who has made 18 appearances for Liverpool this season, has performed well when given the chance.

The arrival of Bradley poses a tactical challenge for Klopp and his successor, even though trading Alexander-Arnold is probably a move that very few at Anfield would ever truly seriously consider. 

He is among several young players who have been given playing time this season as Klopp and company manage several competitions from 2023–2024, and he has flourished when given the chance. 

Although neither player is currently discussing a move in earnest, it is possible that Bradley, with his continued rapid progress, may look to take a more regular place in the starting lineup. 

In his 18 Reds appearances thus far in 2023–24, the 20-year-old has assisted on six goals and scored one goal.