Irrespective of how he is viewed by supporters now, Trent Alexander-Arnold provided Liverpool with an ever present quality player at right-back.
More than 12 months on from his controversial departure for Real Madrid, the Scouser is yet to be replaced. Thus, Richards Hughes and his recruitment team are actively searching a transfer market for a new player in that position, but is one potential option not on the table?
As reported by Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook of Talk Sport, Liverpool are " not currently working" on a deal to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence. They add that the England international "is open to a move away from Spurs" having been offered to numerous other clubs, but the Reds are "focused on other targets".
Liverpool not currently working on Djed Spence.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 6, 2026
Spence is open to a move away from Spurs and has been offered to several clubs, but #LFC are focused on other targets as it stands.
🤝 @alex_crook pic.twitter.com/GZ4DERDmyd
Despite his excellent World Cup performances, earning cult hero status among England fans, Spence has never really shown that consistency at club level.
Thus, considering he would likely be quite expensive, it seems sensible for Liverpool to pass up the chance to bring Spence to Anfield. Fans though will be wondering, who will the club pursue instead?
Which right-backs could Liverpool target?
Tis the season for transfer speculation, and Liverpool have certainly been linked with numerous right-back options. 20 year old Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong has been most strongly linked, purportedly available for as little as £26 million, which seems like a good option.
Meantime, plenty of other names have been mentioned; Iván Fresneda (Sporting CP), Givairo Read (Feyenoord), Kyriani Sabbe (Club Brugge), Martim Fernandes (Porto) and Jon Aramburu (Real Sociedad) to name but a few. Whoever it proves to be, Andoni Iraola needs the new recruit to arrive on Merseyside sooner rather than later.
Why Liverpool require a new right-back
While much of Andoni Iraola's team is taking shape, the right hand side remains a gigantic question mark. Following Mohamed Salah's move to Trabzonspor, they don't have an obvious first-choice starter on the right wing, while the same could be said of right-back too, with Iraola currently possessing a selection of imperfect options.
Joe Gomez is injured but, even when he does return, he'll likely be needed at centre-back. Conor Bradley meantime remains sidelined, due to the serious knee injury he suffered in January, while Calvin Ramsay is expected to depart, despite seeing plenty of minutes during the U.S. tour.
That leaves Jeremie Frimpong as the de facto first-choice. Due to the Dutch international's attacking tendencies, and fundamental defensive flaws, he was quickly not trusted in a back four by Arne Slot last season, so it remains to be seen if Iraola concurs. For now though, unless someone arrives in the next fortnight, Frimpong will surely be starting the Premier League opener at St James' Park.
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