Arne Slot mentioned that Liverpool will “create a new star” when Trent Alexander-Arnold departs, drawing a comparison between right-back Conor Bradley and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi.
Slot expressed disappointment over Alexander-Arnold’s choice to leave on a free transfer this summer. However, he encouraged supporters to shift their focus toward the upcoming match against Arsenal at Anfield, stating, “let’s keep discussions about Trent to positive ones.” He confirmed that Bradley would be starting, while preparing for a future without the defender, who is set to join Real Madrid.
With Liverpool winning the Premier League title, Alexander-Arnold’s desire for a new challenge amplified Slot’s disappointment. Yet, the head coach stated that Liverpool will manage this transition effectively. “It’s disappointing for my fans, my teammates, and for me that he’s leaving,” he commented. “We will definitely miss such an exceptional fullback.”
“We tried to keep him here. Of course, it’s disheartening when that doesn’t happen. There have been questions about my role compared to Jürgen Klopp, and history shows that many players have left this club. Kevin Keegan left, and Kenny Dalglish arrived. It’s always sad, but we’ve seen the club produce new stars before.”
Slot added, “Trent isn’t the first and won’t be the last to leave a special club. Players from Manchester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Liverpool sometimes move on. For me, it was tough for him to make this choice. We did everything to keep him, but we must accept his decision.”
While Slot didn’t reveal if Liverpool would look for a replacement in the transfer market, Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremy Fripon, who has a €35 million release clause, could be a potential target. Bradley remains the primary internal candidate for the role. The Liverpool head coach hailed the 21-year-old Northern Ireland international, likening him to Hakimi, a top fullback on the global stage.
“Connor brings an intense style of play,” said Slot. “Many players run a lot, but Connor really excels in that regard. He’s probably on par with Achraf Hakimi from PSG, who moves around the pitch effectively. But then again, Hakimi is 26 and has the experience of performing at this level weekly.”
“Connor will need time and a solid program to adjust. He’s not alone in facing challenges this season due to injuries. Look at Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott. If Connor is not a consistent starter right away, he will find his footing. We can hope that his experiences will enhance his fitness, especially as we look back at last season when Trent was sidelined.”
