Ex-Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has backed Conor Bradley to succeed Trent Alexander-Arnold as the Reds’ first-choice right-back.

Speculation is rife that Alexander-Arnold could leave for Real Madrid at the end of the season and, asked by Tribal Football who could replace him, Johnson replied:

“I think Conor Bradley would be perfect. Whenever he’s come in, he’s looked better anyway. To be honest, I think Trent only played in some of the games because of his reputation.”

“There’ve been moments where Conor Bradley has been Man of the Match but because Trent is Trent, obviously he gets the shirt, when he’s fit. But if neither of those players had had a name, you’d have picked Conor Bradley. I think they need to find someone that can back up Conor Bradley, if Trent goes.”

What is the current situation with Trent?

The 26-year-old is now in the final six months of his contract at Anfield so he is free to discuss a transfer with foreign teams, including Real.

It is believed that the Spanish giants have already had a £20m bid rejected to take Alexander-Arnold to the Bernabeu this month. Some have suggested that his poor performance against Manchester United last weekend was due to doubts about his future.

Bradley has shown he is ready to play for Liverpool

As Johnson mentions, Alexander-Arnold’s current understudy has impressed over the last eighteen months when given first-team opportunities.

We haven’t seen much of Bradley in recent weeks due to a hamstring injury he picked up in December (coincidentally against Real) but now he is fit again, he could have a more prominent role.

After starting in the Carabao Cup semi-final tie versus Tottenham on Wednesday evening, the Northern Ireland international is set to play again when the Reds take on Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup this weekend.

Find out who is in Liverpool’s first-team squad for 2024/2025 season here