The biggest open secret in football is now out in the open, with Trent Alexander-Arnold set to join Real Madrid.

The Liverpool star has been rumoured with the Spanish giants for some time, with reports emerging this week that a deal was close for Alexander-Arnold to join Madrid in the summer, where the defender’s contract with the Reds will expire.

Although Madrid could have to pay Liverpool a fee for Alexander-Arnold, the deal is expected to go through at this stage, with the Anfield side set to lose one of their important players and a key clog in Arne Slot’s system.

Yet Jamie Carragher has said Liverpool might already know who will replace Alexander-Arnold next season at the right-back position.

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Speaking to Sky Sports News, the pundit praised Liverpool defender Conor Bradley as ‘the real deal’, with Carragher suggesting that the Northern Ireland international is ideal to replace Alexander-Arnold for next season.

The 21-year-old right-back has been exceptional when given the chance for Liverpool this campaign, and Carragher believes Bradley could be lined up already to succeed Alexander-Arnold at right-back next term.

Carrageher said when asked if Bradley can replace Alexander-Arnold: “When Liverpool have had Conor Bradley in the team this season, he’s looked the real deal, and I don’t think the right-back market this summer is alive with lots of amazing right-backs.

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“So I think the way for Liverpool to go if Trent moves on is for Conor Bradley to be given his head, but also for Liverpool to buy a utility player who can play across the back-four, like what Joe Gomez has been in the past few years.”

With Liverpool looking to improve five positions in the summer, there’s a real chance that the Reds could spend a club-record amount on new signings in the transfer window, with virtually every area of the squad in need of some changes.

And whilst Carragher is onto something in needing a utility player, Bradley being promoted to replace Alexander-Arnold feels like the logical choice for Liverpool next season, with the 21-year-old showing he can handle himself against the best.

Moreover, Bradley’s rise from the academy to the first-team mirrors that of Alexander-Arnold’s, and the Northern Ireland international could be a great fit for what Slot wants from his fullback next season at Liverpool.