Arne Slot admits Conor Bradley would have already started more games for Liverpool were it not for Trent Alexander-Arnold amid speculation that the England star will quit the Reds to join Real Madrid at the end of the season.
Alexander-Arnold, 26, is in the final few months of his contract and has been a long-term target for the Spanish giants. The right-back has been free to negotiate with overseas clubs since January and is expected to move to the Bernabeu in the coming weeks.
Bradley has impressed while deputising for Alexander-Arnold this season and has been tipped by many to establish himself as Liverpool’s new first-choice right-back should his team-mate move on.
And Slot has hinted at how highly he rates the young Northern Ireland international, who has seen his opportunities restricted by two things recently: injuries and Alexander-Arnold.
“He’s getting closer to 90 minutes and it’s normal if you play twice 70 mins the chance is getting closer,” Slot said of Bradley on Friday. “But we are taking very good care of him as he had two injuries very similar. Let’s wait and see if he can play.
“It’s going to be important for him to play many games in a row if he wants to become a better player. But we have Trent here and that’s the only reason he hasn’t done so already. That might be his next step, but as long as Trent is here it might be a difficult step for him to make.”
While it remains to be seen if that will be an issue much longer with Alexander-Arnold closing in on a move to Real Madrid, Slot hit out at the defender’s critics last week.
Speaking after the right-back’s dramatic late winner over Leicester, Slot called out those who have questioned Alexander-Arnold’s commitment, saying: “The headline today should be the goal he scored and not about his contract but it would be ridiculous if someone argues his commitment for this club.
“The work rate he puts in. No one can argue his commitment to this club but the headlines should be his great goal and not his contract.
“I don’t think it only meant a lot for him, for everyone who loves Liverpool. A big moment and big players like to have big moments in their career. Virgil had one last week. Players of the quality of Trent, you know these players step up when most needed.”
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