The Statistics Showcasing Trent’s Influence at Liverpool Amidst Real Madrid’s Anticipation

While not yet officially announced, there is a growing belief that Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold will make the move to Real Madrid this upcoming summer.

The right-back gracefully sidestepped questions about his future after the weekend’s match against Leicester City, where his impressive left-footed strike brought the Reds to the verge of securing their second Premier League title in five years, marking the first occasion they could celebrate in front of their home fans.

Jurgen Klopp’s squad in the 2019/20 season delivered Liverpool their first top-flight English title in the Premier League era, and their first in three decades, but the pandemic prevented them from fully celebrating with their devoted supporters.

A title win would be the perfect farewell for Trent

The sight of Jordan Henderson hoisting the trophy before an empty Anfield is one that will be remembered for various reasons, but a victory against Tottenham this Sunday will undoubtedly set the stage for a celebratory atmosphere at the legendary ground.

If this indeed turns out to be Trent’s final season with the club he joined as a six-year-old in 2004, then clinching the title would be the ideal farewell for him. But what consequences might arise for both clubs should he decide to join the ranks at Santiago Bernabéu?

From Liverpool’s viewpoint, this could pave the way for Conor Bradley to secure the starting position.

While Joe Gomez and Jarrell Quansah have also played in that role, the 21-year-old Northern Irishman appears to be the most fitting option.

Alexander-Arnold has limited Conor Bradley’s chances

In the previous three seasons, Bradley has found it challenging to break into the side, with Alexander-Arnold’s consistent performances keeping him largely sidelined.

For instance, Trent has registered 10 goals and 23 assists during that period, while Conor Bradley has managed just one goal and eight assists.

Certainly, Bradley’s 2,159 minutes on the pitch since the beginning of the 2022/23 season cannot be directly compared to Trent’s 7,792. However, one can reasonably assume that, if tasked with covering the right flank in Alexander-Arnold’s absence, those numbers would significantly increase.

Whether he will reach the same level as his counterpart remains an open question at this point.

Although Bradley boasts a shooting accuracy of 61.5%, compared to Trent’s 33%, this statistic can be misleading given the volume of shots taken—24 for Bradley and 138 for Alexander-Arnold. It will be intriguing to see how much improvement he shows if Arne Slot opts to promote from within rather than look elsewhere for a replacement.

Passing prowess highlights Trent’s natural ability

When it comes to forward passing, there’s no one at the club who matches Trent’s level over the past three seasons. His 5,890 total passes ranks just behind Virgil van Dijk, but he leads Liverpool in forward passes with 2,104, achieving a pass completion rate of 66.4%.

Beyond any defensive responsibilities that Conor Bradley or any other player may encounter, it’s Trent’s ability to advance the ball effectively that will be tough to replicate.

For Real Madrid, lacking Dani Carvajal’s ability to contribute offensively from the right flank has made it considerably challenging to create opportunities in that area.

Generally, Lucas Vazquez fills in for Carvajal, though with the latter set to turn 34 at the start of the new season, his future contributions may be in question.

Raúl Asensio has been tried in that position as well, and if necessary, Antonio Rüdiger or Éder Militão could step in, but the need for Alexander-Arnold to provide balance to the back line seems evident.

Carvajal and Vazquez bring competition for Trent

When comparing the same three-season window, Vazquez boasts an impressive 82.8% passing accuracy in the final third (1,243 passes made, 1,029 successful), which surpasses both Trent’s 77.5% (1,262 made, 978 successful) and is far superior to Trent’s overall accuracy of 66.4%. However, both Real Madrid players trail behind Alexander-Arnold’s output while attacking.

Carvajal’s contribution includes seven goals and nine assists, which is on par with Trent, yet the latter’s 23 assists are significantly higher than both. In terms of minutes played, Vazquez has logged 6,107, substantially lower than Carvajal’s 7,192 and 600 minutes fewer than Trent, roughly equivalent to six and a half matches. This performance could be deemed satisfactory for the Spaniard, especially considering his age.

Both Real Madrid players have demonstrated consistent strength in one-on-one duels against opponents, with Carvajal’s 623 and Vazquez’s 597 placing them both among Los Blancos’ top performers. Both achieve win percentages exceeding 50%, while Trent has engaged in 637 duels, winning just 48.4%.

Should Alexander-Arnold make his way to Madrid, he will undoubtedly need to enhance certain aspects of his game. A significant consideration is that he will be stepping into a position of immense pressure that comes with wearing the iconic white kit.

While he is cherished and regarded as one of their own at Liverpool, at Real Madrid, he will face the challenge of proving himself once more under the scrutinising gaze of an often unforgiving Spanish media.