TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD is the name on the tip of every Liverpool fan's tongue… and Real Madrid supporters too.
And that's the problem for Arne Slot – one of many he will face in the second half of his debut season at Anfield.
Following fan favorite Jurgen Klopp was always going to be a tall order.
But the Dutch captain has guided Liverpool to miles clear at the top of the Premier League at half-time – while dreams of a quadruple, including the Champions League, are still very much alive.
However, from January 1, foreign clubs have been able to negotiate pre-contract terms for three of the Reds' biggest stars.
Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. All Kop legends. All Premier League champions. All Champions League winners.
But of the three, speculation swirls around one more than others: the local boy, Trent.
The right-back was met by moans and groans from the Anfield faithful during his disastrous display in the 2-2 draw against struggling Manchester United.
His defensive weaknesses have long been documented, despite noticeable improvements in recent months.
Despite this, Real Madrid are desperate to sign the England international.
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So much so that they have reportedly offered around £20m to sign him this month rather than risk a potential dogfight with Europe's elite in the pre-contract deals available to all.
There is no doubt that Alexander-Arnold fits the mold of 'Galactico'. Big name player, big game player, Toni Kroos passing skills, David Beckham free kick skills.
Liverpool fans are obviously devastated. It's hard to lose a player with that ability, especially when you go looking for all the major trophies available.
To lose a player of that ability, who is also a local boy and at the age of 26 is entering the best years of his career… heartbreaking.
However, there is one young lad from Northern Ireland who is here to remind the Kop side that there is no reason to worry: Conor Bradley.
This isn't a “oh, there's a talented kid in the youth team” situation…far from it.
Bradley has been part of the Reds' first team since the start of the 2023/24 season, following a sublime loan spell at Bolton Wanderers a year earlier.
However, going from League One to the Premier League always meant trusting the unknown.
And how Bradley, now 21, has repaid Klopp's faith and etched his name in the hearts of passionate Liverpool fans.
The 23-cap international has understandably played second fiddle but has excelled in his 41 appearances for the club.
No Liverpool fan will forget his attacking run and scored right-foot finish as the Reds hammered Chelsea 4-1 to move five points clear at the top of the table last season.
The strike won Liverpool's Goal of the Month competition.
But despite that, he's not really a Trent 2.0.
While Alexander-Arnold has the skills of a world champion central midfielder – despite his problems in the position itself – Bradley is more of a combative, action-oriented defender.
The youngster is good on the ball and likes to shoot up the field when in possession.
Against Man Utd, in his brief cameo after replacing Trent, he was keen to get forward and almost scored after a wonderful piece of skill and a cheeky shot that almost beat Andre Onana at his near post from a tight angle.
However, he won't be expected to drift inside and join midfield and spray passes like Alexander-Arnold.
So while his passing numbers are nothing like his teammate's, his defensive stats are arguably much better.
Bradley completes fewer passes and crosses per 90 minutes, although the figures are slightly skewed by Trent's responsibilities.
But he is miles ahead in duels won and tackles made.
The Northern Irishman is not afraid of a cracking tackle – think of his wonderful sliding tackle on Kylian Mbappe – and certainly wants to shoot forward.
In the 2024 calendar year, Bradley had just one fewer goal than Alexander-Arnold and one more assist, with seven, while completing more dribbles and having almost TWICE as many touches in the opponent's penalty area.
How should we 'define' Bradley?
While Alexander-Arnold fits the mold of the modern 'inverted full-back', slotting into the attack in central midfield, Bradley is more of a throwback full-back – with a modern twist.
Bradley won't sit back and concentrate on defense as he is given the license to bomb the wing and get stuck in attack.
But he has the pace and, crucially, the energy to come back and help if Liverpool's attacking approach leaves them without numbers on the counter.
In fact, his defensive instincts – something you can't really coach – seem far superior to Alexander-Arnold's.
Of course, Bradley lacks Trent's experience and some of the creative spark.
But he has the ability to become a Kop favorite, and that's no easy feat.
Of course, Liverpool would love to hold on to talisman and future captain Alexander-Arnold.
However, Bradley proves there is life after Trent for Slot, for Liverpool and for the fans as the Merseyside man swaps Anfield for the Bernabeu.
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