Liverpool Set to Get New Trent Alexander-Arnold Headache and Jamie Carragher Knows Why
Concerns surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury have subsided, yet the Liverpool vice-captain may find himself in an uncomfortable position following his performance against Bournemouth.
The news that Alexander-Arnold has not suffered a serious injury will be a huge relief for Liverpool and Arne Slot.
Just as it appeared the Reds were nearing a full squad ahead of what promises to be a demanding schedule in the coming months, the sight of Alexander-Arnold being assisted off the pitch by physios at Bournemouth raised significant concerns. Fortunately, it now seems unlikely that he will be sidelined for an extended period.
The upcoming clash against Tottenham on Thursday might prove too much of a gamble, particularly with Liverpool attempting to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. It is expected that Conor Bradley will be given the chance to step in, potentially presenting Slot with a fresh dilemma.
There has been considerable discussion about how Liverpool would adapt if Alexander-Arnold were to move to Real Madrid in the summer, with some pundits questioning whether Bradley is prepared to take on the role. If their doubts extend beyond fitness concerns, they are entirely misplaced.
Bradley has already proven he possesses the qualities required to be Alexander-Arnold’s long-term successor. While he may not provide the same attacking threat as the Liverpool vice-captain, he compensates with strong defensive attributes—something Kylian Mbappe has experienced firsthand.
If Bradley is given an opportunity on Thursday, he could leave Slot facing a tough choice regarding his first-choice right-back.
Amid the injury scare, it has almost been overlooked that Alexander-Arnold endured another challenging outing at Bournemouth. Antoine Semenyo caused him considerable trouble, and as one particularly vocal former Liverpool player has pointed out, there is a strong possibility that he would have been substituted even if he had not sustained a knock.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in recent weeks. Alexander-Arnold’s display against Manchester United at the start of the year drew significant criticism, and as Jamie Carragher noted after the match, he could be putting himself in a precarious situation.
“With Conor Bradley now coming back, I think if Trent puts in another performance like that, I think the manager will put Conor Bradley back in,” Carragher said on the Gary Neville Podcast.
It now appears that Bradley could get his opportunity, and if he performs well, he might keep Alexander-Arnold out of the team for what could be the final months of his Liverpool career.
Only Alexander-Arnold truly knows how much Real Madrid’s interest is impacting his performances, but with increasing scrutiny following the United match, Slot may need to step in. This presents Bradley with a fantastic opportunity to stake his claim as Liverpool’s next right-back.
In other news, John Aldridge Names the Team Liverpool Need to Worry About in the Premier League Title Race – and It’s Not Arsenal
