Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Conor Bradley: Liverpool stars compared with England ace linked with Real Madrid transfer

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD is the name on the tip of every Liverpool fan’s tongue… and Real Madrid supporters’, too.

And that’s the problem for Arne Slot – one of many he must face in the second half of his debut season at Anfield.

Following fans’ favourite Jurgen Klopp was always going to be a hell of an ask.

But the Dutch chief has guided Liverpool to miles clear at the top of the Premier League at the halfway stage – with dreams of a quadruple, including the Champions League, still very much alive.

However, as of January 1, foreign clubs have been able to negotiate pre-contract terms for three of the Reds’ biggest stars.

Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. All Kop legends. All Premier League champions. All Champions League winners.

But, of the three, speculation has been swirling around one more than others: the local lad, Trent.

The right-back was met by groans and moans among the Anfield faithful during his disasterclass in the 2-2 draw against struggling Manchester United.

His defensive frailties have long been documented, despite noticeable improvements in recent months.

Despite that, Real Madrid are desperate to land the England international.

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So much so, in fact, they are believed to have bid around £20million to sign him this month rather than risk a potential dogfight with Europe’s elite in the free-for-all of pre-contract deals.

There’s no doubt Alexander-Arnold fits the mold of ‘Galactico’. Big-name player, big-match player, passing ability of Toni Kroos, free-kick prowess of David Beckham.

Liverpool fans are naturally devastated. To lose a player of that ability is tough to take – particularly when gunning for every major trophy available.

To lose a player of that ability who’s also a local lad and entering the prime years of his career aged 26… heartbreaking.

However, there’s a young lad from Northern Ireland who’s here to remind the Kop squad there’s no reason to be worried: Conor Bradley.

Now this is no “oh, there’s this talented kid in the youth squad” situation… far from it.

Bradley has been part of the Reds’ first-team squad since the start of the 2023-24 season following a sublime loan spell at Bolton Wanderers a year earlier.

To go from League One to the Premier League, though, always meant putting faith in the unknown.

And boy how Bradley, now 21, repaid Klopp’s faith and etched his name into the hearts of the passionate Liverpool fandom.

The 23-cap international has understandably played second fiddle, but has excelled in his 41 appearances for the club.

No Liverpool fan will forget his charging run and rifled right-foot finish as the Reds ran riot over Chelsea in a 4-1 battering to move five points clear at the top of the table last term.

The strike won Liverpool’s Goal of the Month competition.

But despite that, he’s not quite a Trent 2.0.

While Alexander-Arnold has the skills of a world-beating central midfielder – despite his struggles when playing the position itself – Bradley is more of a combative, all-action defender.

The youngster is accomplished on the ball and more than happy to dart up the pitch in possession.

Against Man Utd, in his brief cameo after replacing Trent, he was keen to get forward and almost scored after a wonderful bit of skill and cheeky shot which nearly beat Andre Onana at his near post from a tight angle.

However, he’s not expected to drift inside and join the midfield and spray passes like Alexander-Arnold.

So while his passing numbers aren’t anything like his team-mate’s, his defensive stats are arguably much better.

Bradley completes fewer passes and crosses per 90 minutes – although the numbers are somewhat skewed by Trent’s set-piece responsibilities.

But he’s miles ahead in duels won and tackles made.

The Northern Irishman is not shy of a crunching tackle – remember his delicious sliding tackle on Kylian Mbappe – and certainly keen to dart forward.

In fact, in the 2024 calendar year, Bradley had just one goal fewer than Alexander-Arnold and one more assist, with seven, while completing more dribbles and having nearly TWICE as many touches in the opponents’ box.

So how should we ‘define’ Bradley?

While Alexander-Arnold fits the mold of the modern ‘inverted full-back’, joining the midfield in the centre of the pitch in attack, Bradley is more of a throwback full-back – with a modern twist.

Bradley won’t sit back quietly and focus on defending, given licence to bomb up the wing and get stuck in in attack.

But he’s got the speed and, crucially, energy to get back and help out when Liverpool’s all-attack approach leaves them short of numbers on the counter.

More than that, his defensive instincts – something you can’t really coach – seem to be far superior to Alexander-Arnold.

Sure, Bradley lacks the experience of Trent and some of the creative spark.

But he has the ability to become a Kop favourite – and that’s no easy feat.

Of course, Liverpool would love to cling onto talisman and future captain Alexander-Arnold.

However, Bradley proves there is life after Trent for Slot, for Liverpool and for the fans should the Merseyside man swap Anfield for the Bernabeu.