It won't be an easy one to get RIGHT

A RARE REDS FORAY INTO THE FULL-BACK MARKET COMES WITH CAUTIONARY TALES

- By IAN DOYLE Chief LFC Writer [e-mail] @lanDoyleSport

THERE was always a sliver of hope until there wasn’t.

And when Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed to the wider world on Monday morning that his time at Liverpool is coming to an end, the decision was made definitive.

The Reds, though, have been preparing for some time for such an eventuality, the mood music having been blaringly clear long before the player informed head coach Arne Slot in March of his intention to seek pastures new.

Liverpool are planning for the future. Conor Bradley, who has emerged as a more than capable deputy to Alexander-Arnold during the past 18 months, will be given an opportunity to stake his claim as the regular starter at right-back next season.

But the Reds are almost certain to bolster their depth in the position during the summer transfer window, with the current squad options to have played at right-back either having done so while out of position - see Jarell Quansah and Curtis Jones - or regularly hampered by injury in the case of the unlucky Joe Gomez.

Calvin Ramsay is the other recognised senior right-back on the books, but has made only two first-team appearances for the Reds since arriving from Aberdeen for an initial £4.2million in 2022, the last of which came two-and-a-half years ago.

Injuries and loss of form have blighted subsequent loan moves at Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End, Wigan Athletic and his current temporary stint back in Scotland with Kilmarnock.