Liverpool news: Man United legend backs Alexander-Arnold to thrive at Real Madrid
Liverpool defender Alexander-Arnold has been given his blessings by a former Manchester United striker.
The Reds right-back has been linked with a move away from Anfield as he appears set to join Real Madrid in the summer.
His deal on Merseyside runs out in June and he is not expected to continue at the Premier League leaders.
Wayne Rooney backs Alexander-Arnold to succeed at Real Madrid
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has chimed in to deliver his verdict on the 26-year-old’s imminent move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
He has lauded the La Liga outfit as the biggest club in the world, given their rich history.
Rooney also spoke about the prospect of winning different titles in Madrid and stated that his camaraderie with Jude Bellingham would help him adapt.
| Trent Alexander-Arnold stats | 2024/25 all competitions |
| Appearances | 39 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 7 |
He said: “I would be happy if Arnold moved to Real Madrid, I would be happy for him, once I discovered that he wanted to move to Spain.
“Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, and it has an incredible history, so it would be a great opportunity, I will understand his decision, it’s something that cannot be refused.
“If Arnold moves to Real Madrid, he will succeed, and he will face the challenge of winning not just more titles, but different titles, and his proximity to Bellingham will ease his adaptation.”
Jeremie Frimpong would be a stellar replacement for Liverpool
Replacing Alexander-Arnold poses a significant challenge for Liverpool due to his unique blend of attacking prowess and exceptional creativity from the right-back position.
The Reds should adopt a multi-faceted approach, starting with leveraging their existing squad depth.
Conor Bradley, a 21-year-old Northern Ireland international, has shown considerable potential as Alexander-Arnold’s deputy over the past two seasons, offering energy and attacking intent, though he lacks the same playmaking vision.
Liverpool should also target a high-calibre signing to fill the creative void, with players like Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, known for his pace and goal-scoring ability from the right, or Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries, who combines physicality with attacking output, as potential options.
Investing in youth development, such as promoting academy prospects like James Norris, ensures long-term stability, blending immediate solutions with future planning to mitigate the loss of Alexander-Arnold’s irreplaceable skill set.
However, Frimpong seems the most sensible option and signing him should not be too difficult as he’ll be offered the chance to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League.