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Alan Shearer believes Arne Slot should target a fellow Dutchman to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

With the worst-kept secret in football now out in the open, attention is turning to how Liverpool go about replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold.

And Premier League legend Alan Shearer believes he knows just the player.

It has long been expected that Alexander-Arnold would leave Liverpool at the end of the season following the expiry of his contract.

And on Monday the 26-year-old, who has been with his boyhood club since the age of six, confirmed he is going.

READ MORE:Arne Slot breaks silence on Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool exit - 'We are disappointed'READ MORE:Arne Slot surprised by Conor Bradley comment as Liverpool plan confirmed for Arsenal

Alexander-Arnold is now expected to join reigning European champions Real Madrid, who are attempting to complete his move early so he will be able to play for them in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Another team who will be competing in the inaugural competition are Inter Milan, who could head to the USA having ripped Madrid's European crown away from them.

The Italian giants are through to this year's Champions League final, against Liverpool's conquerors Paris Saint-Germain, after a remarkable 7-6 aggregate success over Barcelona.

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And one of the stars of the thrilling semi-final victory was a man who Shearer says would be perfect for Arne Slot and the Reds after Alexander-Arnold's decision to quit.

The former Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers and England hero told Betfair: "Although Denzel Dumfries plays in a completely different system with Inter, there's no doubt that when I've seen him in that system, he's shone.

"His energy has been incredible and the most impressive thing for me is how good he's been in forward positions.

"He got a couple of goals, the assist in the semi-finals.

Defensively is a different question, but certainly offensively he's a very, very good player.

"Arne Slot will know him better than anyone being a fellow Dutchman.

"Signing for Liverpool would be an option, but he's got the chance of winning the Champions League and he's also got a chance of winning the league so he's obviously in a very healthy position.

"

Dumfries scored twice as Inter drew the first leg in Barcelona 3-3 and then set up Francesco Acerbi's dramatic equaliser in the second leg that forced extra-time and after which the Serie A title challengers eventually won 4-3.

Afterwards the 29-year-old, who was once wanted by Everton, was spotted with Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo.

Gakpo and the other members of the Reds' Premier League title-winning squad were given some time off this week before they return to action against Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday (4.30pm).

Shearer, meanwhile, has addressed the way that Alexander-Arnold announced his departure.

He said: "Trent Alexander-Arnold's announcement video was a classy thing to do.

He's won everything at Liverpool and I think it'll suit him there.

"He's going to a club that has to win the biggest trophies and it looks as if he's going to a club that will have a new manager.

"He'll go to a new club, a new environment and a new everything.

He can absolutely go to Real Madrid and win things."

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Reports have suggested that Bayer Leverkusen boss and Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso is on the verge of replacing Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid's manager.


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