Trent Alexander-Arnold should be benched as soon as the Premier League title has been won, Reds expert David Lynch has insisted.
Liverpool managed to get the better of Leicester City on Sunday thanks to Alexander-Arnold's late winner, with the right-back coming on as a second-half substitute for Conor Bradley.
While the defender has helped the Merseysiders win numerous points this season and bring the club to the brink of Premier League glory, fans may be seeing the last of him at Anfield given he has been strongly linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher argued on Sunday that Alexander-Arnold should be taken out of the XI as soon as the title has been officially won, a sentiment shared by Lynch when he told Sports Mole: "I agree with with Jamie Carragher in the sense that until the title's won, you pick whatever your best team is.
"The question going into the Spurs game - where we hope that Liverpool will get it over the line - is that Trent might not be fit enough to start that game. We'll have to see how he gets on in training this week but you would think Conor Bradley will start that one, but if you do wrap up the title in that one I'm very much of the view that you should keep Conor Bradley in the team."
Considering there is little jeopardy left in the rest of the season other than the achievement of personal accolades for individual players, selecting Bradley against the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal following the Reds' clash against Spurs would entail minimal risk.
The case for Bradley
During his time on the pitch against Leicester, Bradley struggled to deal with opposition winger Stephy Mavididi, though it should be noted that it was just his second start since February 12 against Everton.
Many see the Northern Irishman as the natural heir to the right-back spot, and if Alexander-Arnold is not willing to commit his future to the Reds, perhaps integrating him into the XI would be a sensible plan.
Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch believes playing Bradley would also help get his teammates used to playing alongside him, saying: "There shouldn't be much bitterness towards Trent - Liverpool shouldn't try and make it personal, or make sure it's left on bad terms. The fact is he has opted out of wanting to win trophies for Liverpool and when that is the case the easy decision for Liverpool is to protect themselves.
"They've got to ready themselves for a title charge next season and what's the best way of doing that over these remaining four games? The best way to do that is to play Conor Bradley, to build those relationships with teammates. It's only four games but a bit of extra experience to get the team used to playing with him in it is very important and it helps towards making a stronger start next season.
"It's not a decision taken out of any bitterness towards Trent, or 'let's bomb him out because he's not important now'. Liverpool have got to look after themselves in that situation and they have no obligation whatsoever to make sure that Trent gets the best possible send-off if he's decided to go to Real Madrid. That's not what a football club exists for."
Though Alexander-Arnold would leave Anfield having won two Premier League titles, as well as one Champions League, one FA Cup and two EFL Cups, boss Arne Slot must focus on what is best for the team's success next season.
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Why did Alexander-Arnold celebrate the way he did against Leicester?
When Alexander-Arnold scored Liverpool's winner against Leicester, his celebrations were impassioned, with the defender rushing to the away fans as he threw his shirt off.
The 26-year-old has arguably never looked so emotional on the pitch, and some supporters have speculated that his display could have been a direct response to criticism levelled at him for the manner of his rumoured exit.
Lynch acknowledged that the right-back had been impacted by fan anger, but also emphasised that his goal against Leicester was important in the context of the title race, telling Sports Mole: "He's aware of the things being said about him and the real disappointment among supporters with people questioning loyalty. It would frustrate you as someone who's given so much, and as a local lad who supports the club.
"There was frustration in that celebration but you've also got to recognize that it meant a lot to him in terms of he wants to win the league desperately, and this is the thing that people are struggling to understand. It's straightforward - you can both absolutely love Liverpool and have loved everything you've done there but also think 'I've only got one career, I can go and try this new thing.'
"I sympathize with his view and it's not reflective of his love for Liverpool, or lack of. People want to accuse him. He's seen that and it's hurt him but also he knew it was an important goal for Liverpool and it meant a lot - he got them one step closer to the title. A mix of all those emotions came out in his celebration, but anyone who's reading into it as a sign he's going to stay is going to end up being very disappointed."
The victory against Leicester means Liverpool will win the title should they emerge victorious against Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday, and Alexander-Arnold would have undoubtedly been delighted to have given his side the opportunity to claim the Premier League trophy at Anfield.
Lewis Nolan
