Liverpool’s FOUR alternatives to Alexander-Arnold

Jacque Talbot

• 16 Mar 2023 10:15 CDT
• 4 min read

Jamie Carragher delivered an impassioned speech about Liverpool’s situation with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool bowed out of the Champions League, losing 1-0 to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night, to round off a 6-2 aggregate defeat. Carragher, on pundit duty for CBS, spoke about the Reds’ youngster, who’s won all their is to win at such a young age.

He said: "The problem they have got in that position is that they’ve never had real competition for Trent Alexander-Arnold and one of the reasons why is because he has been so good and you think ‘Who do you buy and how much do you spend for someone who is not really going to play every week?’

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"Liverpool are at the point where they have got to go and buy a right-back. It’s Jurgen Klopp's decision in terms of how good that right-back is and how much he costs, but that lad needs serious competition. He has been playing for five years at the top level, with no rest, and has won absolutely everything and won more than I could ever dream of. I’m so proud of him - a local lad coming through the ranks - but he needs help."

Who would be good competition for Alexander-Arnold?

FootballTransfers used SciSports data to look for an inverted full-back like Alexander-Arnold., who is good at crossing but more so is exceptional at passing and is involved in build-up and chance creation from deep. We used a 70% similarity to Alexander-Arnold., and a top third filter for overall crossing and a top 10% filter for build-up pass, chance creation-passes, and pass into final third, which is something the Liverpool star is exceptional at.

Noussair Mazraoui - Bayern Munich

Noussair Mazraoui is not getting much game-time at Bayern Munich and so a deal, if Liverpool opted to move for one, would be feasible. We are not really looking at someone who can come in and directly replace Alexander-Arnold here, more someone who can provide competition and, perhaps, deliver a bit more of a defensive edge than what the England international is offering. The Dutchman’s contract is up in 2026 and, like Vanderson, he possesses a great footballing IQ and positional sense.

The 25-year-old thrived in a possession-oriented system when he was playing at Ajax, so would make a good choice for when Liverpool are playing opponents looking to counter. He only signed with Bayern last year and we value the Morrocan between €15.9m – €26.4m.

Alexander Bah - Benfica

Alexander Bah is an aggressive player who attacks spaces and possesses fine passing ability. He is capable of opening up deep blocks and, again, is someone with sound positional discipline. Bah signed with Benfica just last summer, arriving from Slavia Prague for €8m, and so would take a bit more to prise him away, especially given that he signed terms on a deal until 2027. Tah notches up 3.19 shot-creating actions per 90 mins, as well as 5.4 progressive passes. A move for him wouldn’t be risky in the slightest, and Liverpool have a good line to his current club.

Vanderson - AS Monaco

Vanderson is a versatile right-back who enjoys being in possession up the field while offering defensive solidity. The Brazilian is an astute tackler and has great positional intelligence. He can even be as a right-sided centre-back in a back-three but the 21-year-old is at his best when on the flank. Vanderson's current transfer value is between €19.8 million and €32.9m, with his contract up with Monaco in 2027.

He would be a great signing for Liverpool, and his age means that there is big room for growth at Anfield, where compatriot Fabinho developed after taking the midfielder from Monaco.

Ridle Baku - Wolfsburg

Ridle Baku plays right-back for Wolfsburg and shares similar traits to Alexander-Arnold, our data suggests. Every much cut from the same cloth as the previous names in Baku you’re getting high intelligence, and great passing ability. In fact, he has been touted as something of a playmaker operating as a full-back - which is quite apt.

The 24-year-old is valued at €20.3m – €33.8m and his deal is up in 2026. The inverted- wing-back has netted six times and provided one assist so far this season in all competitions, an output that may put Liverpool off if they’re after someone who can create high xA from the wing but the similarities are there.