Liverpool may have a player ready to take over the ‘Steven Gerrard role’ in Jurgen Klopp’s side – but his name is not Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Liverpool-born right-back has long been tipped to move from defense to midfield after playing as a No.6 at the academy.
Klopp’s 2 at Pep Leunders’ academy.Alexander-Arnold captained Linders under-16s but switched to right-back as the best way to break into the first team. Now first-team vice-captain, the 25-year-old from West Derby is one of the most important players in Klopp’s squad and a superb passer.
Due to his incredible ball control, he has long been linked with a move to Liverpool’s midfield, and since April he has played in a hybrid role, moving into central areas when in possession. Gerrard started as a right back in 1999 and became a legendary boxing midfielder.
Klopp has been told there is another player in his squad who is fully equipped to become a full-time midfielder in former captain Conor Bradley. The Northern Ireland international made his Premier League debut in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth, providing an assist and a goal.
With Alexander-Arnold injured, Bradley impressed in his first-team appearances as a substitute against Arsenal before starting against Fulham and Bournemouth this month. The 20-year-old is a Liverpool fan and has been with the club since 2019.He has already made 13 caps for Northern Ireland and had an excellent season on loan at League One side Bolton Wanderers last season, scoring seven goals and six assists in 53 games at right-back.
But former Dungannon United Youth manager and League of Ireland legend Joe McAree insists his future lies in midfield.He told the Belfast Telegraph: “Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and his coaches all know more than I do, but I think we will see a better player when Connor gets the chance to take over Steven Gerrard’s role in midfield “. No one is going to change my mind about it.”It depends on his ability to move from box to box and the quality of his passes. He sees the killer leaving.
Not only does he have the ball control and passing ability that Liverpool FC most need, but he also has a great bike. He is a fantastic player who can go very far in the game.“I played him as a central midfielder and he was a different class and a pleasure to work with. In addition to his skills, Conor has a great personality and expresses himself well. “He’s a normal guy from all over the country, he went to Liverpool and did really well and he hasn’t changed at all.
“This follows former Ireland striker Tony Cascarino’s comparison between Gerrard and Bradley. “I have to mention Conor Bradley as a defender. He runs like Steven Gerrard. I know people get mad when you compare someone to Gerrard.” . “But I looked at him and thought he was a midfielder. He plays in midfield for Liverpool.
“He has great energy, covers the whole pitch and is perfect to play as a midfielder like Klopp.”It is unclear whether Bradley will get a chance to play in Liverpool’s midfield because of the competition there. On current form, he is the second right-back behind Alexander-Arnold, a position that promises the most playing time.And if Alexander-Arnold continues in his hybrid role for a long time, Bradley could be the perfect replacement for the Reds.
If so, it could save Klopp a lot of money. If he turns into a midfielder half as good as Gerrard, the Liverpool manager won’t be complaining.
