Importance Score: 30 / 100 🔵
Potential Replacements for Trent Alexander-Arnold
Amid speculation of a summer transfer to Real Madrid, Liverpool are reportedly exploring the market for a new right-back. Replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s offensive contributions will be a significant challenge for the Merseyside club. The 26-year-old defender has been a key creative outlet, providing six assists and setting up 51 shooting opportunities for teammates this season, marking him as one of the Premier League’s most inventive defenders. As Liverpool look to bolster their squad, several potential replacements have emerged as candidates to fill the void should Alexander-Arnold depart.
Possible Right-Back Signings for Liverpool
Jeremie Frimpong, Bayer Leverkusen
For an attack-minded wing-back favored by new manager Arne Slot, Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer Leverkusen emerges as a leading candidate. The Dutch international, formerly of Manchester City and Celtic, has become recognized as a highly progressive full-back in European football. His Bundesliga statistics this season, including five assists and four goals, underscore his inclination to advance into forward positions. At 24 years old, Frimpong operates in more advanced areas than Alexander-Arnold, positioning him as a potentially seamless and impactful replacement.
Martim Fernandes, Porto
Martim Fernandes is currently experiencing a breakthrough season with Porto. The 19-year-old has tallied five assists in the Primeira Liga this term, second only to his teammate Francisco Moura (six) among defenders in the league. Fernandes’ offensive statistics are notably similar to Alexander-Arnold’s; he averages 1.8 key passes and 1.3 accurate crosses per match, compared to 2.1 and 1.6 for the Liverpool defender. The young Portuguese talent presents a strong offensive profile and could be a strategic, long-term acquisition for Liverpool.
Givairo Read, Feyenoord
Givairo Read has a prior connection with Arne Slot from their time together at Feyenoord, where Slot provided Read with his professional debut. Read has since solidified his place as a regular starter, making 21 appearances across league and European competitions this season, with 17 starts. The 18-year-old has registered an impressive six assists in the Eredivisie this season, including a hat-trick of assists against Twente. In the league, only Souffian El Karouani (seven) surpasses his assist count among defenders. Read also demonstrates significant defensive capabilities and could be a shrewd addition for Liverpool, offering both depth and competition for Conor Bradley in the right-back position, as Bradley aims to contend for Alexander-Arnold’s role.
Center-Back Options to Replace Virgil van Dijk
Replacing Virgil van Dijk, consistently linked with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), would present a considerable challenge for Liverpool. The commanding Dutch defender has established himself as one of the Premier League’s all-time best, known for his composure in possession and his dominant, calm presence without the ball, instrumental in Liverpool’s defensive solidity and control.
Potential Center-Back Signings for Liverpool
Dean Huijsen, Bournemouth
Dean Huijsen has made a significant impact during his debut season with Bournemouth. The young defender, acquired from Juventus last summer, might only spend one season with the Cherries due to his rapid development. Huijsen’s exceptional reading of the game is remarkable for his age, as evidenced by his Premier League ranking of third for interceptions per 90 minutes (2.2) this season. Additionally, he executes 4.7 accurate long balls per 90 minutes, placing him third among all outfield players in the division. His ball-playing ability was showcased during his Spain debut during international play. While aerial duels are an area for improvement – he has won 59.3% of his aerial duels in the Premier League – Huijsen could develop into a worthy successor to Van Dijk.
Alessandro Bastoni, Inter Milan
Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan is recognized as one of Europe’s elite center-backs and is reportedly available for a fee around £60 million. He would represent an outstanding acquisition for Liverpool should they successfully secure the 25-year-old from Milan. While his aerial duel success rate of 62.5% is slightly better than Huijsen and Guehi, Bastoni’s distribution skills are particularly notable. His versatility extends to playing at left-back, offering valuable cover for Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.
Marc Guéhi, Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace’s defensive record this Premier League season is noteworthy, conceding fewer goals (33) than all but Arsenal (24) and Liverpool (27). A key figure in their defensive strength is captain Marc Guéhi. The England international is expected to move from Palace this summer, with his contract nearing its end next year, potentially sparking high demand for his services. Tottenham previously made a £70 million bid for Guéhi in January, which was rejected by Palace. The 24-year-old possesses considerable Premier League experience. However, similar to Huijsen, his aerial duel win rate is 59%, an area needing refinement. By comparison, Van Dijk wins 71.2% of his aerial duels, highlighting the importance of securing a suitable replacement with comparable aerial prowess if the 33-year-old were to depart.
Right-Wing Replacements if Mohamed Salah Departs
Despite being 32 years old, Mohamed Salah continues to elevate his performance levels. This season, he has been directly involved in 44 of Liverpool’s 69 league goals (63.8%). However, indications suggest that Salah might leave Anfield during the upcoming transfer window.
Potential Right-Winger Signings for Liverpool
Bryan Mbeumo, Brentford
Bryan Mbeumo brings Premier League experience and has displayed impressive form this season for Brentford. The team’s performance significantly improves with the Cameroon international in the lineup; the 25-year-old has contributed 15 goals and five assists this season. Similar to Salah, Mbeumo prefers to cut inside onto his left foot, and his low center of gravity makes him difficult to dispossess. At his current age, Mbeumo is still likely to develop further. With his contract expiring next summer, Brentford might be compelled to sell him at the end of the season to avoid losing him without a transfer fee. He could become an ideal acquisition as Liverpool’s next right winger.
Rayan Cherki, Lyon
Reports in January suggested that Rayan Cherki’s release clause at Lyon is just £19 million. In today’s transfer market, this would be considered a bargain. Borussia Dortmund showed strong interest in Cherki during January, but Lyon managed to keep the Frenchman. They may face greater difficulty retaining him at the end of the season. This Ligue 1 season, no player has provided more assists than the 21-year-old (nine), and he has created the most clear-cut chances (18) in the division. Even if Liverpool does not pursue Cherki specifically as a direct replacement for Salah, he remains a highly valuable player they should consider targeting.
Ademola Lookman, Atalanta
Reports indicating Ademola Lookman’s potential departure from Atalanta this summer are likely to attract numerous offers for the Nigerian international. Lookman currently holds a higher WhoScored rating (7.32) than any other player in Serie A this season, having scored 13 goals and provided five assists. At 27 years old, he is older compared to other options, but Salah demonstrates continued effectiveness even at 32. While Lookman is not exclusively a right-sided player, his versatility is an asset.
Johan Bakayoko, PSV Eindhoven
“I definitely think I can join Liverpool,” Johan Bakayoko stated after PSV Eindhoven’s victory over Liverpool in the Champions League in January. The Belgian winger scored in the 3-2 win in Eindhoven, and although he hasn’t consistently secured a starting position for the Dutch club this season—partly due to Ivan Perisic’s performances—he is a direct winger who often cuts onto his left foot. Having experience playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the tactical adjustment to Liverpool should be straightforward. While Bakayoko may be a more traditional winger compared to the modern style of Salah, his youth provides time for development, and he could be coached to adopt a similar approach.