Trent Alexander-Arnold 'names his replacement at Liverpool' in Real Madrid transfer hint

Trent Alexander-Arnold offered perhaps the biggest hint yet that he's going to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid next summer as he selected the team-mate with the most potential

Trent Alexander-Arnold believes fellow Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley is the club's biggest young talent.

He was once in that position when emerging into the first team himself as a teenager. But now 26 and with well over 250 senior appearances for club and country under his belt, he's acting as a mentor for the next generation.

Whether he'll continue to do that at Anfield remains to be seen. It's well documented that Alexander-Arnold's contract is expiring at the end of the season, with speculation rife that he could depart on a free transfer to join Real Madrid.

While Virgil van Dijk has entered talks with the Reds over a new deal, his defensive colleague is yet to do so. And in perhaps the biggest hint yet that he could be headed for the exit door, Alexander-Arnold threw his backing behind 21-year-old Bradley.

In a Sky Sports interview, he was asked to pick the player with the most potential out of the Northern Ireland international, Ben Doak, Stefan Bajcetic or Harvey Elliott. He replied: "I like to speak to all these kind of lads, [Jarell] Quansah involved as well.

"But I speak mostly to Conor obviously, being in the same positions. I've seen Stefan from young, how good he is and the potential he has. Harvey as well, incredible. I couldn't believe how young he was when he had his birthday.

"Ben Doak, again really young. The future star - he's (Elliott) injured so I'm gonna have to go with Conor. I like to play 90 minutes but I know how good he is and I trust in him to get the job done and to help the team win the game."

Alexander-Arnold's answer to the next question also left viewers feeling like he's got his heart set on moving to Spain. He had to choose between winning another Champions League title, winning a trophy with England, becoming Liverpool captain or winning the Ballon d’Or.

Addressing the option of wearing the Reds' armband, he said: "I've already captained Liverpool. I would want to be Liverpool captain but it's not my decision, so that can't really be in there.

“Winning a World Cup with England – that would be immense and change the game, but I’d say win a Ballon d’Or because I believe I can. I want to be the first full-back to ever do it. I believe it. Some people may call me deluded, but I believe I can.”

Alexander-Arnold also admitted his desire to be "someone who changed the game" and establish a legacy as "the greatest right-back to ever play football". Achieving those ambitions would likely require him to prove himself away from the Premier League.

And Real would undoubtedly give him one of, if not the best platform to do so. Only Barcelona (12) have had more players win Ballon d'Or awards than their 11, which could be set to be equalled on Monday (October 28) with Vinicius Jr favourite to claim the 2024 gong.

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