Troy Deeney reckons Liverpool already have a ready-made replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold in the form of Conor Bradley and should focus on other contract renewals. The Reds are facing some crucial decisions this season, with key players Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold all in the final year of their contracts.
Despite being just 21, Northern Irishman Bradley is seen as a possible successor to Alexander-Arnold, 25, who continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid.
However, Deeney believes that Liverpool should prioritise re-signing Salah, 32, and Van Dijk, 33, despite Alexander-Arnold’s higher resale value due to his age.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Deeney said: “The player will try to always look out for themselves, and the club will look out for themselves. It’s just the nature of the beast.
“But, I think what – without knowing – I wouldn’t be surprised if Liverpool said, ‘Here’s X,’ or Trent has gone: ‘I think I’m gonna go Real Madrid and let them know.’
“So, they go: ‘Ok, no problem, but you think you’re gonna play the whole season, and we’re gonna make you look good? No, no, no, we’re winning, come off, here’s Bradley, and we’ll see if he’s ready.’
“It’s just part of the transition. There are so many different little nuances that happen every single day within football, and fans only see the end product. It’s crazy.”
Deeney’s theory may have some legs, as in the Reds’ Premier League opener away at Ipswich, Bradley replaced Alexander-Arnold after 77 minutes and has done so in all three of their league wins so far – coming on at 73 minutes against Brentford and after 76 during their 3-0 drubbing of rivals Manchester United.
While it must be said that in all of these clashes, Arne Slot’s side were two goals to the good or more, but it seems Bradley is undergoing some form of testing with these cameos. Deeney feels that this ease of replacing Alexander-Arnold should see his contract renegotiation put back in the pecking order.
“It’s going to sound really harsh, but in order of priority, I would’ve gone Salah first, Van Dijk second, then Trent,” he said. “He’s not getting any younger, but at centre-back, every centre-back they have got – apart from Van Dijk – is a number two.
“I think of the three, he’s (Alexander-Arnold) the easier one to replace [because of Bradley]. You’ve not seen any centre-back that they’ve got at the minute that can do what Van Dijk can, and you see no winger that does what Salah can do.”
The trio are all expected to start for Slot’s side once again after the international break, with Liverpool up against Nottingham Forest next at Anfield on Saturday (3pm) in the Premier League
