Right-back vacancy a key indicator to where Slot aims to take Reds

THERE was always a slither of hope until there wasn't.

- By IAN DOYLE

And when Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed to the wider world on Monday that his time at Liverpool s 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.