Liverpool is yet to agree new contracts with any of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, or Mohamed Salah, with the captain recently pouring cold water on the theory that his own deal has already been secretly agreed. Naturally, supporters are anxious to see progress, but Jamie Carragher has named somebody who may be keen to see one of the trio leave.

There was a rare night off for Alexander-Arnold against Spurs, as Liverpool elected to take no chances after he went off holding his thigh against Bournemouth. The prognosis is far better than it could have been, and he's expected to return for the next Premier League outing against Everton, if indeed he is not involved against Plymouth in the FA Cup.

But in his absence, Liverpool delivered a comprehensive performance. Goals for Salah and Van Dijk ensured the contract situation was not driven from fans' minds entirely, yet there was perhaps a slight sense that this club and this squad is comfortably big enough to weather any potential move to Real Madrid for the vice-captain.

READ MORE: Gary Neville couldn't be more wrong again as 'mad' Liverpool prediction backfires

READ MORE: I saw Ange Postecoglou reaction that speaks volumes about two Liverpool stars

Of course, there will be tougher tests than Tottenham. It was a pretty abject effort from Ange Postecoglou's side, even accounting for the injuries, and Liverpool ultimately did not face a single shot on target.

But the Reds can take at least some of the credit for making Spurs look so poor. The visitors were suffocated from the first minute, and their own attempts at pressing were evaded with confidence and quality.

It was the kind of game where it's hard to pick a player of the match, because everyone just did their job superbly, without anybody truly standing out above the crowd. Having dominated proceedings so much, one of the midfielders would be a fair choice, perhaps Dominik Szoboszlai — but another candidate would be Conor Bradley.

Filling in for Alexander-Arnold at right-back, Bradley did what he always does. He went about his job, looked unruffled in defense, and gave a constant option going forward with his now-trademark runs down the channel on the inside of Salah.

Carragher was full of praise for Bradley. He suggested the Northern Irishman will be eyeing up Alexander-Arnold's spot if the vice-captain does depart:

"There is only one man at Liverpool that does not want Trent Alexander-Arnold to sign a new contract: Conor Bradley," said Carragher on Sky. "If Trent moves on he needs to be Liverpool's right-back.

"I don't think Liverpool should go and buy a big right-back for a lot of money. What that lad has done when he has filled in has been that good. If that is his level there are not many better right-backs in the Premier League."

That might seem like hyperbole. There's the slight whiff of when Liverpool fans convinced themselves that Jordon Ibe was better than Raheem Sterling all along.

But while there's no case to be made that Bradley is as technically gifted as Alexander-Arnold, there is now a reasonable body of evidence that he is similarly effective in Arne Slot's system. With right-back now a more or less conventional position in the Liverpool setup once again, the 21-year-old's industry and determination are standout traits.

It's not hard to imagine that he would be getting touted as one of the best in the league if he played elsewhere. Is what he does all that different to Milos Kerkez on the left for Bournemouth, for instance?

And Carragher is right that it's hard to instantly think of a right-back Liverpool could buy who would present a clear-cut upgrade. If nothing else, it may be that big money is better spent elsewhere, with Bradley having at least earned an opportunity in the event that we are seeing the final months of Alexander-Arnold at Anfield.