The new Trent: Hughes chasing Liverpool move for "generational" £100m star

When Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool behind prior to the Club World Cup, fans at Anfield were left furious.

In all honesty, it was no secret that Trent was going to head to Real Madrid, but the way in which he departed has rubbed some the wrong way.

The Liverpool-born full-back had been part of the Reds setup for nearly his entire life and it came to a point where he refused a new deal at the club.

The fact they weren’t initially getting a fee for one of their prized assets was remarkable, really, but he did eventually fetch £10m when Madrid decided they wanted him in the squad for the Club World Cup.

Liverpool have since replaced him but have they truly replaced his best qualities?

How Liverpool can replace Trent

With Trent gone, Richard Hughes and Co moved swiftly to secure the services of Jeremie Frimpong who like Florian Wirtz, traded Bayer Leverkusen and Germany for the Premier League.

Frimpong is incredibly attack-minded, just like Alexander-Arnold, but he’s more about pace and aggression, soaring down the right wing, rather than inverting and spraying passes.

Jeremy Frimpong and Arne Slot

Both are progressive but in their own different ways. So, how can Slot rediscover that progression from central areas?

Well, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton wouldn’t go a miss.

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Reports in recent weeks have linked Liverpool with a move for the England international and he’s still being touted with a switch.

talkSPORT report this week that Manchester United are considering a bid for the midfielder amid doubts surrounding their pursuit of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.

The report further notes that Liverpool are long-term admirers of the former Blackburn Rovers star.

While it’s unlikely Wharton moves this summer, particularly amid a £100m asking price, this is certainly one to watch for Richard Hughes and Co heading into 2026.

How Wharton could replace Trent’s best qualities

While Liverpool won’t lose any attacking intent having swapped Alexander Arnold for Frimpong, they will lose a big dose of creativity.

We’re all familiar with how Frimpong loves to get down the flank but what that means is that he’s not going to be someone who plays passes through the lines.

According to data supplied by FBRef, in the 2024/25 Bundesliga, Frimpong made just 2.14 progressive passes and 1.17 key passes per 90 minutes, metrics that ranked him in the very worst 11% of full-backs in the division for the former and the top 34% for the latter.

A pass is considered progressive if the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the opponent's goal or any completed pass into the penalty area.

Liverpool’s former number 66, however, was very strong in this department. In the 2024/25 Premier League, the scouser made 8.83 progressive passes per 90 minutes, ranking him in the best 1% of positionally similar players. He also supplied 1.98 key passes every 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 5%. It’s safe to say he’s an elite creator.

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold applauds fans after the match

So, where do Liverpool rediscover those attributes with a player in the centre?

Wharton would certainly help. Described as a "generational talent" in the words of former Sky Sports employee Matthew Stanger, he is one of the calmest and composed players in possession in England.

Last season, he made 1.78 key passes per 90 in the league, more than Frimpong and also registered 7.31 progressive passes across the same time frame. That ranked him among the division’s finest 7% of midfielders for that metric.

Not just creative from central zones like Alexander-Arnold was, he could be a defensive upgrade too.

Wharton vs Trent: Key defensive data 2024/25 stats (per 90) Wharton TAA Tackles won 0.96 1.90 Interceptions 1.37 1.18 Aerials won 0.48 0.11 Errors 0.00 0.15 Yellow cards 0.14 0.19 Stats via FBRef.

A look at the numbers indicates that while the former Red got through his fair share of tackles, overall, Wharton is a lot more complete from a defensive point of view, winning more aerial duels and making a higher volume of interceptions.

So, while the Palace superstar may not play in the same position as Alexander-Arnold, he could be everything that was hoped of Trent if he had eventually become a midfielder.

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