It's official, Liverpool have secured their new Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool have a new Trent Alexander-Arnold, he's brilliant.
It was a bitter end to the scouser's career at Anfield. Alexander-Arnold was adored by Liverpool fans but the way he left the club was heartbreaking.
Things have not turned out the way he would have wanted either in his post-Liverpool career. Alexander-Arnold has become a bench-warmer in Madrid.
He's had three different managers and all three of them have preferred other options. In that time Real Madrid have also added another right-back to their ranks in Denzel Dumfries.
Once he dreamt of Ballon d'Ors, now Alexander-Arnold can't even start games. Let alone influence them. It's a sad state of affairs although there is no denying there's a sense of gratification to see Alexander-Arnold struggling from a Liverpool point of view.
Liverpool's problems at right-back
However, it's not like Liverpool's problems are resolved. The truth is they have struggled in the absence of Alexander-Arnold. The club hasn't been able to replace him ever since he left.
The plan was for Conor Bradley to come in and replace him but his long-term injury has meant he's simply not been able to do that. Bradley in reality is far too injury prone to be a regular starter for Liverpool. His current injury is so serious it remains to be seen how well he comes back from that, too.
There's no guarantee Bradley comes back the same player he once was. Joe Gomez and others have had their career wrecked by injuries in the past.
Liverpool's alternative, Jeremie Frimpong is simply not a right-back, and Ronald Araujo has settled at Liverpool very strong but he is not a long-term solution either.
Meet Liverpool's new Trent Alexander-Arnold - Lenix Conde
Normally, you would say in this situation Liverpool should dip into their academy. However, at U21 level the pickings are slim. In fact, Ollie O'Connor and Prince Kobe Cisse have been having to play out of position in that right-back role.
There is good news though. Because Liverpool do have a very talented right-back who is drawing comparisons to Alexander-Arnold in Lenix Conde.
The youngster has been at the club's academy for a long time and he's finally starting to impress at U18 level. Conde has become a regular for the U18s and has also started for the U19s in the UEFA Youth League.
A brilliant defender who is also composed on the ball, he is the best and most creative right-back Liverpool have produced since Alexander-Arnold.
It finally looks like the Reds have their second coming of their former hero. Conde is a name to keep a close eye on.
