Dave Hendrick: Trent can’t be replaced like for like, spread the responsibility | OneFootball

Right Back Rebuild: Why Liverpool’s Market Options Are Far From ‘Dry’

Context Behind the Panic

With Trent Alexander-Arnold’s likely departure to Real Madrid, a wave of pessimism has swept through Liverpool’s online fan base. Many are convinced that the right-back market is sparse. But speaking on Anfield Index, Dave Hendrick made it clear he doesn’t agree. “There are a lot of really good right backs out there,” Hendrick insisted. He called the doom-laden verdicts about the market “just not true.”

Rather than find a clone of Trent, Hendrick emphasised, “you’re not going to replicate him.” He explained that replacing Trent means redistributing his skill set: “spread out what he brings to the team across a multitude of positions… and then hopefully improve the right back position in one aspect or another.”

What Liverpool Shouldn’t Do

Photo: IMAGO

Hendrick was quick to rule out certain names. “Jeremie Frimpong is not a right back. He’s a wing-back who’s actually a winger,” he said. The same goes for Lille’s Tiago Santos, who’s out with an ACL injury. “We’re not going to sign a lad coming back off a torn ACL.”

He dismissed others, including Ola Aina and Djed Spence, as only good enough “if we were looking for a backup right back.” But Liverpool aren’t. As Hendrick put it, “we’re looking to sign a starting right back.”

A clear no-go was Chelsea’s Reece James. “He’s Chelsea captain. They’d never sell him to us. And number two, the lad cannot stay fit.” For Hendrick, this is non-negotiable. “Just a hard pass on him.”

Proven Options Worth Exploring

Photo IMAGO

Among Hendrick’s top-tier picks was PSG’s Achraf Hakimi. “If you’re ranking right backs globally, Hakimi is in the same tier as Trent,” he said. While acknowledging Hakimi lacks Trent’s creativity, he adds defensive stability and “is a better overlapper.”

Next on the list was Jules Koundé. “Outstanding defender… solid but unspectacular on the ball.” Hendrick proposed a potential deal involving Luis Díaz, given Barcelona’s financial challenges. “It’s worth kicking the tyres on.”

Other viable options included Pedro Porro, who Hendrick described as “dynamite” when he’s on form, and Nahuel Molina of Atlético Madrid, “a very good all-round fullback.”

The Realistic Future Picks

Photo by IMAGO

But it was Archie Gray and Héctor Fort who dominated Hendrick’s enthusiasm. “Archie Gray would be for me over anybody. He’s the kid I’d go and get,” he declared. Gray, currently with Spurs, is seen as the ideal right-back for now and future midfielder. “He’s not going to be your right back long term because he’s going to be too good.”

On Héctor Fort, currently with Barcelona, Hendrick said: “He might be the best young right back prospect in world football… if they make a silly decision like signing Vanderson when they’ve got this demon sitting there ready to go, we need to jump all over it.”

Other strong contenders include Aarón Martín, who’s “very accurate crosser of the ball,” and Martín Fernández of Porto, who “could walk in and start straight away.” Hendrick also highlighted defensive juggernauts like Gernot Geertruida as high-ceiling players worth exploring.

Clear Message to the Fanbase

The underlying message was blunt: stop trying to find a new Trent. “We’re not going to replace Trent. We’re going to buy a right back… who shouldn’t be compared to Trent.” Instead, Liverpool should “break up what he brings to the team into small pieces” and rebuild intelligently.

For those convinced the market is dry, Hendrick had this to say: “There’s a ton of great options out there.” And Liverpool’s recruitment team, in his view, have shown they’re more than capable of finding value—just like they did with Andy Robertson.