Danny Murphy has called on Liverpool to consider signing Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto if Trent Alexander-Arnold departs Anfield at the end of the season.
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Alexander-Arnold has been instrumental in Liverpool’s strong start under Arne Slot, contributing four assists in 15 Premier League appearances. His performances have helped Liverpool top the table on Christmas Day for the first time since 2020/21.
However, the 26-year-old’s long-term future remains uncertain, with just six months left on his contract. Like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold could leave on a free transfer this summer.
Talks are ongoing, but Alexander-Arnold will soon be eligible to negotiate pre-contract agreements with European clubs, with Real Madrid leading the race for his signature.
Murphy believes the defender’s move to Spain is becoming increasingly likely. “My gut feeling is that he’s going to go. If he were staying, I think it would have been sorted by now,” Murphy told MyBettingSites.co.uk.
The former Liverpool midfielder also criticized the club’s handling of the situation, saying, “The reality is the club have let him get to this position. They should have tied him up a long time ago.”
If Alexander-Arnold leaves, Liverpool will face a significant challenge replacing him. While academy graduate Conor Bradley has shown promise, particularly against Real Madrid in the Champions League, Murphy feels the 21-year-old might not be ready for a full-time starting role.
“In terms of replacing Trent, they’ve got Conor Bradley, who’s a fantastic young full-back, but I think it would be unfair to expect him to fill Trent’s boots week in and week out,” Murphy said.
Murphy suggests Liverpool might need to enter the transfer market, with Malo Gusto emerging as an ideal candidate. The 21-year-old Frenchman has impressed at Chelsea since joining from Lyon in January 2023.
He has stepped up as a reliable starter during Reece James’ injury struggles, earning praise for his attacking contributions and solid defensive work.
“Gusto has impressed me. He’s got a great balance between attacking and one-on-one defending,” Murphy explained. “The biggest compliment you can pay him is that people have stopped talking about Reece James’ absence.”
However, Murphy admits prying Gusto away from Chelsea won’t be easy, given his contract runs until 2030. “I don’t see Chelsea letting him go to a direct competitor, but with financial rules and football’s unpredictability, you never know,” he added.
Liverpool will now wait on Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation while keeping a close eye on potential replacements, with Gusto seemingly high on the wishlist.
