Can Conor Bradley step up and be Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s substitute as Liverpool’s first-choice proper again if the Scouser leaves? Harry McMullen takes a glance.
When considering of Liverpool’s out-of-contract stars, it’s unimaginable that Virgil Van Dijk or Mohamed Salah would go unreplaced ought to they depart this summer time.
But, regardless of Alexander-Arnold being probably the most peak-aged participant of the trio, there are few credible hyperlinks to potential replacements at right-back if he leaves.
• READ: Trent Alexander-Arnold to Actual Madrid: A legacy-changing resolution
So, what has understudy Bradley achieved to engender belief to be within the reckoning to take over from the No. 66?
The staff he performs in
Constructing a profitable staff is difficult. Some golf equipment are adept at profiling gamers and establishing a transparent system, resembling Brighton or Brentford, however they will lack elite high quality for the largest matches.
Others, like Chelsea, have an abundance of high quality however the staff is so incoherent that they are often taken aside.
Liverpool have gotten it spot on for Arne Slot this season. The squad is properly suited to his system and extra managed type of play, however there are additionally a number of world-leading abilities who will be decisive no matter ways or techniques.
The massive moments in each containers have usually gone Liverpool’s means this season.
Alexander-Arnold is one such second’s participant – we’ve known as him a “game-breaker” prior to now – as a result of he has the standard to resolve a recreation by himself.
He has simplified his recreation this season, changing into extra defensively strong while nonetheless contributing to the assault. However Slot has additionally compromised his imaginative and prescient for the full-back position to accommodate him.
What’s Slot’s imaginative and prescient?
Slot’s groups management the tempo of video games.
Typically that’s by sitting deep and counter-attacking, different instances it’s with their excessive press – however ideally, it’s by their use of the ball. “Kill groups with passes” as he advised the gamers in pre-season.
By taking part in slower, easier passes in build-up, opponents are tempted to press, permitting Slot’s facet to shortly transfer up and exploit the area in behind.
Full-backs play a key position on this recreation of tempo. At Feyenoord, Slot’s most-used participant was Lutsharel Geertruida (No. 4, pictured beneath).
He might play on both facet of the defence or at centre-back, however all the time with the instruction to get on the ball in central areas. This might typically be within the first section of buildup…
…and undoubtedly within the second section, with the inverted full-back taking part in contained in the opponent’s defensive block.
This overloads the midfield, which means his staff both have a free man to move to, or area in behind if an opposition defender steps as much as mark that free man.
Liverpool have typically used their full-backs extra conservatively this season. By constructing with a again 4, they open up passing lanes to the wingers, and Alexander-Arnold has time to select a killer ball in behind.
The forwards usually tend to drop and create that overload in midfield slightly than a full-back pushing up, resembling when Salah drops to play a bounce move for Alexander-Arnold to surge forwards.
How does Bradley evaluate?
Bradley, nonetheless, can play extra like a Slot full-back – which was evidenced in November’s 2-0 win over Actual Madrid.
Within the first half, Liverpool saved their regular buildup form, taking part in across the sides of Madrid’s press.
Bradley was capable of shut down counter assaults successfully this manner, resulting in his excellent problem on Kylian Mbappe that took all the headlines.
However within the second half, with Liverpool allowed to dominate possession, Bradley was instructed to maneuver inside, changing into the additional participant within the center.
Actual have been unable to trace his motion, and Bradley popped up within the field to assault Liverpool’s finest likelihood up to now – although his header was saved.
A couple of minutes later, nonetheless, Bradley was free once more, and he teed up Alexis Mac Allister‘s opening aim.
It wasn’t as flashy as an Alexander-Arnold whipped ball and even one in all Bradley’s personal pinpoint crosses. But it surely was, crucially, decisive.
One other instance comes from the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg; right here he’s bursting into area by the center to obtain the ball…
…earlier than sliding it by for Dominik Szoboszlai to complete.
The plain caveat to Bradley’s potential although is his worrying harm document, which has seen him miss 40 video games, and counting, during the last two seasons with again and hamstring points.
Alexander-Arnold has not been immune lacking 23 video games for the reason that begin of final season, however the Reds have had Bradley in reserve and it’s truthful to say the back-up high quality wouldn’t be the identical if he have been to maneuver up the ranks.
Availability is likely one of the greatest belongings a participant can boast and Bradley’s susceptibility to accidents is not going to be misplaced on Slot when he considers Liverpool’s future at right-back.
The way it all matches
Bradley initially developed as an archetypal Jurgen Klopp full-back, hurtling up and down the wing and whipping in crosses from out extensive.
However for membership and nation within the final 12 months, he’s developed his positional sense and his shut management.
Whereas he’s nonetheless studying, Bradley now has the power additionally to play between the width of the aim posts – both supporting or ending off the assault.
When Liverpool lose the unimaginable passing vary of Alexander-Arnold subsequent season, they’ll want to seek out different methods of making area for his or her forwards.
Slot ideally desires a full-back who’s equally comfy taking part in inside or outdoors of the opponent’s defensive form. He’s already used Bradley this manner on the appropriate – hyperlinks with the likes of Milos Kerkez and Jorrel Hato counsel he desires that flexibility on the left, too.
Bradley will doubtless by no means turn into the brand new Alexander-Arnold. However being the ‘first’ Conor Bradley is sufficient for Slot to remake the staff with out Alexander-Arnold, ought to he must.
