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And when Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed to the wider world on Monday morning that his time at Liverpool is coming to an end, the decision was made definitive.

The Reds, though, have been preparing for some time for such an eventuality, the mood music having been blaringly clear long before the player informed head coach Arne Slot in March of his intention to seek pastures new.

Liverpool are planning for the future.



Conor Bradley, who has emerged as a more than capable deputy to Alexander-Arnold during the past 18 months, will be given an opportunity to stake his claim as the regular starter at right-back next season.

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But the Reds are almost certain to bolster their depth in the position during the summer transfer window, with the current squad options to have played at right-back either having done so while out of position - see Jarell Quansah and Curtis Jones - or regularly hampered by injury in the case of the unlucky Joe Gomez.

Calvin Ramsay is the other recognised senior right-back on the books, but has made only two first-team appearances for the Reds since arriving from Aberdeen for an initial £4.2million in 2022, the last of which came two-and-a-half years ago.

Injuries and loss of form have blighted subsequent loan moves at Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End, Wigan Athletic and his current temporary stint back in Scotland with Kilmarnock.

Indeed, the impact of Alexander-Arnold since breaking into the first team in October 2016 has meant Ramsay, now 21, is the sole right-back bought by Liverpool since Nathaniel Clyne - the man Alexander-Arnold usurped from the Reds starting line-up - was brought in from Southampton for £12.5m almost 10 years ago.

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Clyne was one of the final purchases under Brendan Rodgers, who had previously signed Javier Manquillo on loan.

Luca Stephenson, another Kirkby graduate who appeared at right-back under Slot during pre-season and has impressed on loan at Dundee United this season, is more a central midfielder by trade and hasn't featured on the right flank in Scotland since November.

Slot recently dropped a hint Liverpool would be seeking versatility in the transfer market this summer, which could indicate a utility player challenging Bradley while offering an alternative in another position.

Otherwise, the Reds will pursue a more traditional right-back as competition.

Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest has been monitored, although he is no longer available on a free transfer this summer with Forest having triggered a clause to extend the 28-year-old's contract by another 12 months.

Slot's former right-back at Feyenoord, 24-year-old Holland international Lutsharel Geertruida, is another name, and was in the away end with Liverpool supporters at West Ham United last April.

Speculation has persisted over Jeremie Frimpong, although he has forged his reputation at Bayer Leverkusen as a wing-back, and should Liverpool pursue a younger alternative, they were linked last year with Porto's highly-rated 19-year-old Martim Fernandes.

While there has been umbrage among some supporters that Liverpool will not recoup a fee for Alexander-Arnold - despite the player having been an Academy graduate - it's worth noting the outlay from some of their main rivals in the position since Clyne's capture in July 2015.

Manchester City snapped up Kyle Walker for £50m and later Joao Cancelo in a £60m deal that saw Danilo go the other way.
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