Arne Slot: Liverpool boss says Premier League champions are 'disappointed' about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit from Anfield

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Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed disappointment at Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave the club, but is confident the Premier League champions will cope with the right-back's exit. The 26-year-old, who confirmed his decision on Monday, is expected to join Real Madrid in the summer, but Slot believes a "very good player will step up" for Liverpool in place of the home-grown talent.

Arne Slot, Trent Alexander-Arnold

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Arne Slot is "disappointed" that Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool, but is confident a "very good player will step up" in his absence.

The 26-year-old confirmed on Monday that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season after 20 years at the club.

The right-back is expected to join Real Madrid in the summer, and while Slot is disappointed to see him go, his experience leads him to believe the Premier League champions will cope with the exit.

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Speaking on Friday, Slot told his press conference: "Like everybody who likes Liverpool and is a fan of Liverpool, we are disappointed for him leaving because not only is a good human being leaving the club, but a very, very good full-back is leaving us as well.

"But I also worked at clubs like AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord, where every season, a very good, or multiple very good players, have left the club, so I'm a bit more used to it, maybe.

"The experience I have, and by the way, this club as well, is that if a very good player is leaving, the next very good player will step up, and that's probably what's going to happen now."

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The player looking most likely to fill the shoes of Alexander-Arnold is Conor Bradley, as Liverpool’s only other recognised right-back.

The 21-year-old has impressed during his 54 senior appearances for the club since breaking into the first team last season under Jurgen Klopp.

Slot has said the Northern Ireland international is likely to start in Liverpool’s home clash against Arsenal this weekend, as he "needs playing time to be better prepared for next season".

Slot told reporters: "Team selection is as it’s been last week, it's going to be the same thought process for Sunday’s game.

"I think if Conor would have been available for Chelsea, he would have started already against Chelsea. There's a fair chance he will start on Sunday."

In terms of Alexander-Arnold’s involvement, Slot will speak to the full-back when the players train on Friday, having only communicated by WhatsApp since the announcement of his departure on Monday.

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Despite having faith in Bradley, Slot believes high transfer fees may pose a significant obstacle to Liverpool finding a ready-made replacement for Alexander-Arnold.

The Dutchman said: "That's the most difficult thing for a club like Liverpool if you just won the league, is that it is not easy to find better players than we already have.

"And if they are there, then they still need to be affordable and need to want to come.

"That last thing is mostly not a problem, by the way, but transfer fees sometimes are."

Alexander-Arnold, who has made 352 appearances for Liverpool since his debut in 2016, confirmed his decision to leave the club on social media on Monday.

He announced: "After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season.

"This is easily the hardest decision I've ever made in my life."

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