How potential Trent Alexander-Arnold successor compares to Conor Bradley

Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool. It’s official.

After two decades at Anfield, the club’s vice-captain will leave at the expiry of his contract.

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The 26-year-old’s decision has left many supporters bitter, but plans are already being made to replace him in Merseyside.

A number of players have been touted as potential additions for Arne Slot’s title-winning side, but there are a few names that stand out.

Brazilian right-back Wesley is one of those players, and Caught Offside are reporting that Liverpool have monitored the Flamengo man for over a year and have already made informal approaches about signing him this summer.

But how does Wesley compare to Liverpool’s current options?

How does Wesley compare to the current Reds?

Conor Bradley will be given the chance to prove himself in the closing weeks of Liverpool’s season, so he could claim the starting spot as his own next season, but Wesley would no doubt provide plenty of competition.

When comparing the Brazilian to Liverpool’s current options at right-back, it becomes clear just what the 21-year-old could offer the Reds.

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Wesley has completed 85% of his passes this season, that’s better than Trent’s 73.7% and Bradley’s 83.7%. Jarell Quansah, who has also been deployed as a right-back for Liverpool this season, boasts a 92% pass completion rate, but this stat is influenced by his time at centre half.

The Brazilian’s main strength is progressing the ball and starting attacks. He completes 2.39 progressive carries per 90 minutes and 4.13 progressive passes/90. Trent has managed 1.72 and 8.37 respectively, Bradley 3.66 and 3.76 and Quansah 0.6 and 3.13.

That means that Wesley ranks somewhere between Bradley in Trent when it comes to progressive carries, he takes the ball forward with his feet more often than Alexander-Arnold, but not as much as Bradley. He is more progressive with his passing than Bradley, but is yet to reach the level of Liverpool’s no.66.

Would Wesley suit Liverpool?

Liverpool’s fullbacks are often used as a creative outlet, with both involved in the build up to many goals every season.

Wesley manages on average 2.71 shot-creating actions per 90, which is actually better than Bradley’s 2.14 and Quansah’s 0.6. He does still fall short of Trent’s average of 3.48 though.

The 21-year-old’s biggest strength over his competitors is his dribbling. Wesley averages 1.41 successful take-ons per 90, completing 59.1% of his attempts.  

Bradley only manages 0.96 per 90, winning 37.5%, and Trent just 0.63 per 90 – although Alexander-Arnold does win 45.5% of his take-ons. Quansah only completes 0.15, winning 33.3%.

Wesley appears to be able to beat his man on the ground more than his competition, but the quality of defenders he faces for Flamengo must be taken into account.

Although Wesley’s focus is mainly on aiding the attack, he is a capable defender too. On average he complete 3.26 tackles + interceptions per 90 minutes. For comparison Trent averages 3.81, Bradley 2.78 and Quansah 3.14.

Ultimately, it is fair to say that Wesley hasn’t reached the level of Trent going forward yet, but there isn’t an option on the market who has.

The Brazilian would be able to provide plenty of competition for Bradley as the pair battle it out to become Slot’s first choice next season, and Liverpool wouldn’t be sacrificing any defensive stability by bringing him in either.

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Replacing Alexander-Arnold is a nearly impossible task, but Wesley and Bradley could combine in an attempt to do so – providing plenty of attacking output whilst still being handy in defence.