Liverpool already have a ‘ready-made replacement’ for Trent Alexander-Arnold if he leaves the club this summer, Ally McCoist has insisted.
The Reds defender is out of contract at the end of the season, and there have been strong links with him and Real Madrid after Los Blancos had a bid rejected for him in the January transfer window.
He missed the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg win over Tottenham on Thursday night through injury, with Conor Bradley stepping in to deputise, though it is hoped he will be fit enough for the time the Reds face Everton in the Premier League next week.
Bradley, 21, has played 47 times for Liverpool and has won plaudits on a number of occasions, including when the Reds beat Real Madrid in the Champions League earlier on this season.
He was also hailed for his showing against Tottenham at Anfield, playing a key role as his side overturned a 1-0 deficit to book their spots in the final, which featured an assist for Dominik Szoboszlai’s strike.
And the Reds should look no further than the youngster to replace Alexander-Arnold in defence this summer should the Liverpudlian depart – according to McCoist.
‘Liverpool don’t want to lose any of their big three players in an ideal world,’ he began. ‘But a ready made replacement is staring you in the face.
‘He (Bradley) just gets better every time I see him. And the fans correctly have taken to him.’
Bradley joined Liverpool as a teenager in the academy, working his way up to the first team via a loan spell with Bolton in League One.
He tenacity and defending has impressed fans and pundits alike, with many now coming round to the idea that big money may not need to be spent this summer to replace Alexander-Arnold if he does depart.
On the assist for Szoboszlai’s goal, McCoist added: ‘Conor Bradley’s run is nothing short of magnificent. He gives (Archie) Gray all sort of problems.
‘The timing of the pass and run, everything is clockwork. What a run, the first time pass, the finish is excellent. That is an absolutely beautiful goal. Conor Bradley man, take a bow again.’
Jamie Redknapp, meanwhile, added, echoing McCoist’s words on Sky Sports: ‘Anyone that understands football will understand Conor Bradley is a tremendous talent. If Trent leaves, they have a ready-made replacement.
‘He is fearless with the world at his feet. Young players that come through this club just have that bit of spite and aggression about them.’
Liverpool legend and Sky pundit Jamie Carragher was another who agreed Bradley is ready to be a regular starter for Liverpool.
He has made just seven starts this season and 19 appearances in total, but, despite Alexander-Arnold’s future being up in the air, Carragher was of the view that his former side have no need to panic.
‘There is only one man connected with Liverpool who doesn’t want Alexander-Arnold to stay and that’s Bradley,’ Carragher joked. ‘Liverpool shouldn’t go out and spend big money if he goes. If that if Bradley’s performance level, there aren’t many better right backs in the Premier League.
‘That lad has performed too well for someone else to come in and be ahead of him. He needs to be Liverpool’s right back if Trent moves on.’
