The Reds have pinpointed an exciting replacement to fill the void left by their homegrown hero, whose departure has loomed large over Anfield all season.

Alexander-Arnold, alongside teammates Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, will see his contract expire in June. While all three could walk away for nothing, experts have long pegged the right-back as the most likely to leave.

Real Madrid have made no secret of their desire to snap him up, eyeing a long-term successor for their 32-year-old stalwart Dani Carvajal. Reports now confirm the Spanish giants have sealed the deal, landing Alexander-Arnold without a transfer fee.

But Liverpool are not sitting still. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed the club's confidence in young Conor Bradley as a future star. "They are very happy with Conor Bradley," Romano said. "They believe he's a huge talent and can be part of this future Liverpool squad. The responsibility of being the starting right-back is different, but they feel this boy has everything in place to become an important player for Arne Slot."

He added, "Internally, Conor Bradley is considered the next big thing at right-back, and they fully trust him for the future."

Bradley, a 21-year-old Northern Ireland international, has impressed when given chances, offering a more traditional defensive style compared to Alexander-Arnold's playmaking flair. Yet, the Reds are not relying solely on their academy gem.

A fresh report from Spain claims Liverpool have set their sights on Rayo Vallecano's Andrei Ratiu, a 26-year-old Romanian dynamo dubbed an "ideal" fit for their system.

Ratiu has caught the eye this season with two goals and three assists in 27 appearances, blending speed, defensive grit, and attacking thrust, qualities tailor-made for Liverpool's high-octane approach. His release clause stands at 25 million euros, a bargain for a Premier League powerhouse.

However, the Reds face stiff competition from Barcelona, who see Ratiu as their top target to challenge Jules Kounde. "Barcelona cannot compete financially with Liverpool," the Spanish report noted, highlighting how the Reds' muscle could tilt the race in their favor.

Liverpool's proactive stance has sent a clear message: they are ready to reload, not rebuild. With Bradley waiting in the wings and Ratiu in their crosshairs, the club are poised to turn a potential loss into a thrilling new chapter.

As Alexander-Arnold prepares to swap Merseyside for Madrid, the Reds are already plotting their next move with purpose and precision.

Report: Liverpool eye Conor Bradley, Andrei Ratiu to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold