Trent Alexander-Arnold showed why he’s Liverpool’s game-changer at Leicester – Conor Bradley still has to prove he can replace him, writes AADAM PATEL

For Trent Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool, Sunday afternoon in Leicester was one for the memory books. 

Regardless of where he ends up next season, his winning goal after coming off the bench and the celebration that followed will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable moments for both player and club. 

Alexander-Arnold went as far as admitting that it was one of his biggest in a Liverpool shirt and though it was his first goal with his left foot, it was a timely reminder that if he is to leave, Liverpool will miss such a unique footballer.

In his absence over the last few weeks due to injury, Arne Slot’s side have had a little taste of life without the 26-year-old and the last two weeks have provided Conor Bradley with the opportunity to show that perhaps they don’t need to buy a replacement in the summer if Alexander-Arnold leaves. 

Liverpool are expected to make a move for a left-back and have been strongly linked with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez but Alexander-Arnold’s departure will leave a sizeable void at right-back.

In Bradley, they have an able deputy who has already shown he can compete and excel at the highest level but his defensive struggles against Leicester’ Stephy Mavididi on Sunday highlighted the need for the 21-year-old to get even more minutes under his belt, if he is to be Alexander-Arnold’s replacement.

Trent Alexander-Arnold came off the bench to fire Liverpool to victory at Leicester on Sunday

He was coy on his future after the game but is still expected to join Real Madrid this summer

Conor Bradley has been filling in for Alexander-Arnold in recent weeks but is not ready to be Liverpool’s game-changer just yet

On Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher called for Bradley to start ahead of Alexander-Arnold for the rest of the season in a bid to give the Northern Ireland international more experience and with the Premier League title more or less sealed, that could be an option given that he is yet to have a consistent run in the starting eleven under Slot.

At half-time, a stat did the rounds on social media saying that no Liverpool player won more duels (5) or completed more take-ons (2) than Bradley.

That may be true but it was clear to see with the naked eye that Mavididi was enjoying himself down Leicester’s left flank and getting the better of the Liverpool full-back on a number of occasions.

Attackingly, Bradley showed promise and his movement off the ball was exceptional, constantly offering Liverpool an option in the final third and stretching the Leicester backline as he linked up with Mohamed Salah but all in all, this was a performance which suggested that he has all the promise but he still needs time to make that spot his.

When Mavididi did him with a lovely flick in the second half, Bradley was booked for tripping him up and six minutes later, he made way for Alexander-Arnold.

Playing at right-back for Liverpool after Alexander-Arnold is hardly an ideal task for any player to fill, given his magnificent game-changing qualities and his left-footed strike to win the game just five minutes after coming on highlighted another aspect of his play. That sheer willingness to take those risks and play those passes or go for goal helps to make him such a generational talent, with this the 23rd goal of his career.

Just ten minutes earlier, Bradley did brilliantly with what is quickly becoming one of his own trademark runs up the pitch before playing a one-two with Salah but when he should have tried to beat Mads Hermansen and had a strike, he tried to pick out Kostas Tsimikas at the far post instead. That decision-making will come with experience.

It was telling too that once Alexander-Arnold came on, Liverpool’s play revolved around him but it would be harsh to put such a burden on Bradley already. He has all the tools to become an excellent footballer and have a fine career but right now, the need for more time on the pitch is clear.

There will be tougher tests than Leicester to come and perhaps over the next few weeks, Slot will get more of an idea about the man who is widely expected to be his first-choice right-back next season.