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That they’re set to get even better is a scary prospect.

After finally tying both Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah to new contracts over the past week, there is a real feeling that Liverpool can improve further under Arne Slot.

Some new signings should help with that.

However, one player who is set to walk away is Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Whether supporters want to admit it or not, the Reds are losing a huge player in Trent.

That has been notable over recent weeks, with Slot having to improvise his selections at right-back.

But as the Liverpool head coach confirmed Alexander-Arnold’s return to fitness on Friday, he must be now be brave in the closing weeks of the season to get a head start on the transfer plans.

Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

Assuming that Alexander-Arnold does leave for Real Madrid, Liverpool badly need to bring a new player in at right-back this summer.

Conor Bradley can be Trent’s successor, but there are question marks over whether he can fully step up on his own.

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In our opinion, although Alexander-Arnold is now fit once again, Slot must use the final six games of the season to get a stronger idea over whether Bradley is ready.

The Dutch coach will not get all the answers from half a dozen matches, of course, but it’s better to give Bradley the reins now rather than hand them back to Trent for what is left of the season.

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Slot and Liverpool are now in the business of improving and shaping what is to come.

Through his own decision, Alexander-Arnold will not be a part of that.

The strength of hostility from Liverpool fans towards Alexander-Arnold over the past month has not been well received by the wider footballing public.

But given the way he has actively ran his contract down in order to jump ship for Madrid, the feeling is largely justified.

Consequently, big swathes of supporters do not want to see Alexander-Arnold play for Liverpool again, or stick himself front and centre for the title celebrations.

The Scouser has seemingly long since made his bed and to put him back in ahead of Bradley when his immediate future lies elsewhere would not sit right with a lot of supporters.

Liverpool are a better tram with Trent involved, that is clear.

But with the title all but wrapped up and Bradley in good form, Slot can keep one eye on the future and score a win with supporters all in one go here.