Liverpool can solve Trent Alexander-Arnold headache with bargain move for £13m star

Liverpool’s summer transfer window was dominated by their need to completely restructure their engine room. After five senior midfielders left the club, including their former captain and vice-captain, options were extremely thin in the middle.

Despite the exodus, the Reds did well to bring in four top quality new players but the concerns raised following the risky business of selling Jordan Henderson and Fabinho meant Jurgen Klopp and his side could not afford to properly focus on any other area in the team. New defensive options were also said to be on the manager’s wish list, meaning January could be the ideal opportunity for Liverpool to move focus away from their midfield.

A left-sided central defender was understood to be one of Klopp’s main focuses but the Reds were also reportedly eyeing up new right-back options. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only senior natural right-back on the roster and with his new role and responsibility as vice-captain, there’s a lot of pressure on his shoulders. Conor Bradley is available as his deputy but with an unknown return date from injury and just five senior appearances under his belt, Liverpool need a more reliable option.

Joe Gomez has always been able to slot into the right-back role but he is needed to cover the central areas, especially if Joel Matip fails to sign a new deal before his contract expires next summer. Alexander-Arnold has also been operating in midfield lately, mainly for England, but if Klopp was to fully integrate him into a new position in the future, the right-back position will need filling, and by somebody confident and up to the task.

Even if the vice skipper remains where he is, back-up is essential, especially during a saturated calendar. Liverpool’s main aim is to secure Champions League football next season and potentially challenge even higher, so Klopp needs firepower in abundance.

The club were dealt a blow this week when Andy Robertson picked up an injury while on international duty. In any circumstances, the Reds can’t afford to be caught out by unexpected injuries without cover to step in. A long-term injury to someone as crucial as Alexander-Arnold could be detrimental to Liverpool’s season but his importance means he can’t really be rested — the Reds need his influence, especially in the Premier League as they push to redeem last season’s form. As such, support is required for other competitions but also in case of injury emergency.

Heading into January and next summer, Liverpool may revisit their interest in a new right-back and we’ve higlighted VfL Wolfsburg’s Ridle Baku as a potential strong option to consider.

Would Ridle Baku fit in at Liverpool?

Baku attracted a lot of attention over the summer, particularly from Arsenal who had added the Wolfsburg star to their shopping list. Spanish clubs were also said to be interested in the 25-year-old, whose price tag was reportedly in the region of €15 million (£13m) at the time. Baku is now into the final two years of his contract, which could also sway how much Wolfsburg will cash in for.

The right-back admitted to being open to a move this summer, with a Premier League transfer his apparent dream. Naturally, the top flight of English football has a huge pull, so clubs like Liverpool are already at an advantage should they be open to signing the Germany international.

His price tag is extremely tempting too. Given the fact the Reds splashed upwards of £140 million on midfielders alone this summer, it seems almost too easy to suggest they part ways with the quoted £13 million on a young, attacking-minded defender.

Baku played in all but one Bundesliga match last season, only missing a single game due to a yellow card suspension. Out of the 33 he was eligible to play in, he started 29 and contributed five goals and three assists, showing his ability to attack as well as defend. Like Alexander-Arnold, Baku is versatile down the entire right flank and can comfortably operate at right-back, right midfield and right wing.

According to data comparison from WhoScored, the two players tallied very similar statistics during their respective 2022/23 seasons. Baku’s passing accuracy (78.9 percent) was almost identical to Alexander-Arnold’s (78.7 percent), and the Wolfsburg ace contributed an average of 1.6 clearances and 1.5 tackles per 90 minutes, compared to Liverpool star’s 1 and 1.5.

Trent’s attacking stats were higher as a whole, with 1.9 key passes, 2.1 crosses and 1.1 shots weighed up against Baku’s 0.8, 0.6 and 0.8 respectively. But their goal contributions overall are worth noting, especially as Liverpool are known for their attacking full-backs.

Convincing Baku to take an initial backseat at Anfield would be a tough task, especially as he is used to being a regular starter at Wolfsburg. However, the temptation of the Premier League is high, especially for a player who has made it clear he wishes for a move to England’s top division. Klopp is not usually one for changing too much about his team, especially when it comes to formation, but exceptions can be made when circumstances warrant them.

Even if Alexander-Arnold remains at right-back, Baku’s versatility is on his side and he could take on a more attacking role instead. There is still the elephant in the room that is Mohamed Salah’s uncertain future too — if the Egyptian leaves Anfield next summer, the right-wing spot will be vacant. Klopp is known for moulding players into superstars and discovering their best position, so a bit of time spent with Baku on the training pitch to integrate him further as a winger could also become a huge bonus to bringing him in.

He may not be an immediate like-for-like replacement for Salah but until a nine-figure natural winger joins the club to plug the gap, a Klopp-trained attacker is not a bad alternative in the short-term.