Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer theory emerges as bold Liverpool claim is made

Liverpool already have a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold in Conor Bradley and should prioritise other contract renewals, claims Troy Deeney.

The Reds have some important decisions to make over the course of this season. Talismanic forward Mohamed Salah - who has already hinted this may be his final season at Anfield - stalwart centre-half Virgil van Dijk, plus local lad and touted future captain Alexander-Arnold, are all set to see their current deals expire next year.

While 21-year-old Northern Irishman Bradley seems primed to replace Alexander-Arnold should he depart - and reports continue to link the Englishman to Real Madrid. The defender is just 25, though, and now enters his prime, while Salah will turn 33 come June, and Van Dijk is 34 in July next year.

However, Deeney believes the presence of Bradley is the precise reason Liverpool should choose to prioritise re-signing the older pair despite Alexander-Arnold's greater resale value down the line, and signs show he may already be being phased out.

"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," Deeney told talkSPORT.

"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, too, as in the Reds' 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, 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," Deeney continued. "What I mean by that is, with Salah, you're gonna need at least two players to recreate what he gives you goals and assists-wise.

"He’s not getting any younger, but at centre-back, every centre-back they have got - apart from Van Dijk - is a number two. It’s very difficult to go out and buy a number one. It's very difficult, as Man United are finding, to find that number one centre-back.

"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."