Danny Murphy has big Conor Bradley concern if Trent Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool

Liverpool seems to be bracing for life after Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Conor Bradley his natural long-term successor.

The Reds right-back is Real Madrid's top target ahead of the 2025 summer transfer window, and he can move to the European champion for nothing due to his contract situation. The homegrown hero is out of contract at the end of the season and will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with Los Blancos from January 1.

Despite being arguably the best right-back in world football, many feel Liverpool will be able to somewhat cope without Alexander-Arnold - due in part to the fact Bradley has shown himself as a more-than-capable understudy.

The young Ireland international shone against Real Madrid - ironically - and shut Kylian Mbappe out of the game, capping off a perfect performance with a brilliant sliding tackle.

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But former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy isn't ready to get too carried away yet, and explained to BetBrain that he thinks it would be unfair to burden Bradley with the responsibility of starting every game, should Alexander-Arnold leave.

He said: "I think having Conor Bradley has helped Liverpool massively. Even though he’s a different player to Trent, he’s done remarkably well to come into the team and take to things so quickly.

"He just looks so comfortable and seems to embrace the pressure of playing for Liverpool. It’s been fantastic having someone else at right-back who’s clearly capable and someone that the fans have taken to.

“Having said that, if Trent is to leave to Real Madrid or elsewhere next summer, I still think Liverpool will need to go into the transfer market and find a replacement.

"It would be unfair on Bradley to burden him with being the number one choice at such a young age and it could affect his development.

"Liverpool will be playing 60 games a season at the highest level, so I still think they will need to go into the transfer market and find a suitable replacement who can hit the ground running.”