Alexander-Arnold scored a late winner in Liverpool’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Leicester City, a result that put the Reds on the verge of winning the Premier League title. This victory was crucial for Jürgen Klopp’s side in their title pursuit.

Carragher insists that Liverpool must now focus on the future, especially with the 25-year-old defender expected to leave Anfield this summer when his contract expires in July and join Real Madrid.

The former Liverpool star admitted in an interview with Sky Sports after the tough win over Leicester that finding a replacement for Alexander-Arnold’s unique skills would be difficult. However, he stressed that the transition process must begin now, giving Conor Bradley the chance to establish himself in the starting lineup.

He explained: “You can’t replace him because of the unique player he is… That’s why there’s so much talk about him, and I think that’s why he’s the most talked-about full-back we’ve ever seen in the Premier League—because he’s unique and different.”

“You (addressing Micah Richards) mentioned his defensive weaknesses. Most top full-backs don’t receive the same criticism for not being great defensively. But with the ball, he’s special. I said four or five years ago, it’s like having Kevin De Bruyne at right-back—that’s how good he is on the ball. He can come in and change the game, so Liverpool won’t find a replacement for that.”

“Liverpool will have to replace his creativity, but they won’t get that from a right-back. Maybe they’ll need to get it from an attacking midfielder or a left winger. The team must evolve in that direction. The place where he can be replaced is Conor Bradley at right-back. Bradley shouldn’t look at Trent and say, ‘I want to be like him.'”

“He should aspire to be like Andy Robertson in his prime—a proper full-back who goes up and down, is aggressive against wingers, overlaps, delivers crosses, and does what Liverpool full-backs usually do.”

“So you can’t replace him—forget that. But Liverpool’s big decision, or several decisions they must make between now and the end of the season and summer, is… If Trent hasn’t committed to the manager for next season—which clearly he hasn’t yet—he shouldn’t be in the starting lineup. He shouldn’t have the right to do so. He shouldn’t…”