Summary: After declaring his intention to leave Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold is expected to sign with Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old’s long-term replacements are Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.
The 2024–2025 league statistics for the three defenders have been contrasted.
After apparently reaching an agreement with Real Madrid for when his contract with Liverpool expires this summer, Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to move from Anfield to the Santiago Bernabeu for the upcoming campaign. In the Spanish city, the 26-year-old will join international teammate Jude Bellingham, leaving a void that Arne Slot will undoubtedly need to cover right away.
Fortunately for the Dutchman, he has a wide range of alternatives when it comes to how he may replace the Englishman. Some might contend that the team already possesses Conor Bradley as a ready-made successor because he has been Alexander-Arnold’s backup and has shown exceptional talent when called upon. Bradley also has the potential to be a key player in the future. The Reds may also decide to make a move in the transfer market. Jeremie Frimpong has been mentioned as a potential addition, and there are even rumours that a deal could be on the horizon.
In order to determine who is the best option and whether they can succeed Alexander-Arnold, we have gathered some data from each of the three teams’ individual 2024–2025 league seasons to determine who is the best in the three crucial areas of passing, attacking, and defending.
Defending
Despite criticism, Alexander-Arnold holds his own in this category
Most of Alexander-Arnold’s detractors will tell you that although he is among the greatest right-backs of all time offensively, his defensive play is what falls short. The figures, however, differ when compared to Bradley and Frimpong per 90 minutes.
The Three Lions star leads in three of the seven defensive metrics that are measured: interceptions, blocked shots, and tackles. Thoughts that he is more defensively savvy than Alexnader-Arnold may be accurate, but he is only second to colleague Conor Bradley in every other area, including ground duels won, ground duels success rate, clearances, and ball recoveries.
Frimpong is dead last in every category, therefore the results are not very encouraging. This could be because Xabi Alonso uses a somewhat different system at Bayer Leverkusen.
Statistics of Alexander-Arnold against. Bradley vs. Frimpong: Defending
Statistics
Arnold Alexander
Bradley
Frimpong
Won in Ground Duels
3.7
4.9
3.5
Success Rate for Ground Duels (%)
49.22
50
45.36
Clearances
1.9
2.9
0.8
Interceptions
1.2
0.6
0.4
Shots Blocked
0.4
0
0
Made Tackles
2.8
1.9
3.3
Ball Recuperations
5.1
6.1
3.7
Attacking
Frimpong impresses more in attack than in defence
Despite his poor defensive performance, the Leverkusen player has shown himself to be a greater goal threat, thus it is obvious where his skills lie going ahead. That wouldn’t have mattered for this position in the past, but as the game has changed and full-backs now have more responsibility in the final third, Slot might find his five goals and five assists appealing.
Although he only leads by one assist, Alexander-Arnold does generate more opportunities per game than each of his competitors, with Frimpong having a higher conversion rate. Bradley hasn’t been able to find the net with this, but his percentage of shoots on goal is the only thing that makes him stand out.
Frimpong vs. Bradley vs. Alexander-Arnold Statistics: Attacking
Statistics
Arnold Alexander
Bradley
Frimpong
Objectives
3.
0
5.
Helps
6.
One
5.
Accuracy of Shots (%)
30.77
75
57.14
Rate of Conversion (%)
11.54
0
17.86
Opportunities Generated
2.
0.8
1.2
Passing
Alexander-Arnold a dominant force
Alexander-Arnold has a significant advantage in terms of possession effectiveness compared to the other three. Due solely to his passing range, which would rival that of most center-midfielders, the 26-year-old established himself as a somewhat unconventional full-back. In light of this, it would not come as a huge surprise when he wins five out of seven categories once more.
Bradley wins anything the Liverpool number 66 doesn’t, just like in attacking. But what’s really striking is how many less passes Frimpong makes and completes than the other two. This may indicate that he would have to adjust to Slot’s style of play.
Frimpong vs. Bradley vs. Alexander-Arnold Statistics: Passing
Statistics
Arnold Alexander
Bradley
Frimpong
Attempted Passes
60.8
58.1
28.3
Completed Passes
47.4
48.9
23.8
Accuracy of Passing (%)
77.89
84.16
83.97
Attempted Crosses
5.6
0.9
4.5
Crosses Fulfilled
1.5
0.2
0.9
Accuracy of Crossing (%)
26.21
16.67
18.97
In the Opp Half, passes
30
25.1
17.4
Conclusion
Bradley and Frimpong may both be needed to replace Trent
The data make it abundantly evident that, out of the three possibilities, Alexander-Arnold is the most robust and comprehensive. At both ends of the pitch, he will be a miss whether the Kop appreciates his defensive style or not. Additionally, neither Frimpong nor Bradley have statistics that would persuade anyone that they could replace the 26-year-old on their own.
Since Frimpong has more experience and his role in Germany is very different, some argue that his statistics appear worse in comparison, especially looking forward. He could be able to easily fit into a new system. On the other hand, taking that risk without knowing for sure is extremely dangerous. However, is Bradley prepared to take over and establish himself as a mainstay in the Liverpool first team? That’s another question that remains unresolved.
We do know that Alexander-Arnold has had to take charge when Bradley is around, and if Frimpong moves to Anfield, perhaps the same can be said. The two might engage in friendly competition, and if one is having trouble, the other could step in and take over.
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