Liverpool in talks with WILDCARD Alexander-Arnold replacement

Tom Weber

Updated: 8 Apr 2025 10:13 BST
4 min read

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool — © IMAGO

Liverpool are in talks with Freiburg defender Kiliann Sildillia as they sound out potential replacements for Trent Alexander-Arnold, according to a report.

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The Reds' vice-captain is on his way to Real Madrid this summer. In recent weeks, it has become clear that Alexander-Arnold would not extend his contract and would depart Liverpool for the 15-time European champions on a Bosman transfer.

STATS

Trent Alexander-Arnold

D (R)

Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold

D (R)

Liverpool

39

Games
3

Goals
7

Assists

It means that Liverpool will be tasked with replacing a player who seems pretty irreplaceable due to his unique skillset. The Anfield club already have Conor Bradley coming through, although he hasn't been quite as impressive so far under Arne Slot as he was under Jurgen Klopp.

Still, the Northern Ireland international is highly rated at Liverpool and rightfully so. Bradley certainly has the potential to become a very good Premier League right-back, but the champions-elect would still have to bring in someone else to compete with the 21-year-old.

The name of Jeremie Frimpong has often been associated with Liverpool. Not only is he a compatriot of Slot but he is also looking to leave Leverkusen this summer and won't cost more than €40 million. However, Liverpool are now also in talks with a different Bundesliga right-back.

Liverpool 'in contact' with Sildillia

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are 'in contact' with Freiburg defender Kiliann Sildillia, who is also looking to leave his club this summer. The Frenchman already wanted out last summer, but despite interest from Marseille and Wolfsburg, no move materialised.

The report states that Marseille remain interested and that the 22-year-old will be available at an affordable price. Liverpool, it is claimed, believe he could make an instant impact in the Premier League.

This will come as a surprise to those who have watched him in the Bundesliga as Sildillia has so far had a bit of a mixed career. He was exceptional when he played his first consistent minutes for Freiburg in 2022/23.

© IMAGO - Kiliann Sildillia and Noah Atubolu

However, his form fell off a cliff the following season. He made a string of mistakes both in and out of possession, and his campaign came to a premature end after a red card.

Despite this, he made France's Olympic squad and featured regularly under Thierry Henry. This, in turn, meant that he missed a decent chunk of pre-season with new Freiburg coach Julian Schuster while he also had to deal with an early-season injury.

He barely featured in Schuster's plans in the first half of the season but was reinstated in February. He initially impressed and kept his place, but recently he has struggled again and was benched against Dortmund at the weekend.

On his day, he can be a very good Bundesliga right-back, but he hasn't been able to consistently perform in two seasons now, which is a worry. While Sildillia is surely leaving Freiburg this summer, a move to Liverpool would come as a major shock.