£25m Brazilian Defender is Liverpool’s Ideal Trent Alexander-Arnold Replacement – Opinion | OneFootball

Vanderson & The Smart Solution for Liverpool’s Right-Back Transition

As Liverpool enter a pivotal summer window under the guidance of relatively new leadership, much of the attention will be on reshaping the defensive core, particularly at right-back. With Trent Alexander-Arnold now fully expected to join Real Madrid at the end of the season upon the expiration of his contract, a new long-term plan is needed by the Reds’ Sporting Director, Richard Hughes, to supplement his head coach, Arne Slot. While Conor Bradley has emerged as a promising academy graduate, Liverpool may benefit from bridging the gap with a high-ceiling option already tested in European football. The injury concerns surrounding the Reds’ Irish fullback are irrefutable, and given that and the equally worrying situation regarding the availability of Joe Gomez, a Trent replacement will now surely be sought.

That’s where Vanderson enters the regeneration conversation. The AS Monaco fullback, who has developed into one of Ligue 1’s most consistent and dynamic right-backs, could represent a smart long-term investment and a modern stylistic successor to Alexander-Arnold. As an all-around player, he could be developed into what is needed and offer far more reliable defensive options in the long term.

Vanderson – Player Profile

Club – AS Monaco

Nationality: Brazil

Age: 23 years old

Date of Birth: June 21, 2001

Position: Fullback (Right-Back / Right Wing-Back)

Height: 1.73 m

Preferred Foot: Right

2024/25 Appearances: 39 (all competitions)

2024/25 Goals and Assists: 2 & 5

Contract Expiry: June 30, 2028

International Caps – 5 Appearance (Brazil)

Transfermarkt Value – €20m

Expected Fee – €25-30m

A Long-Term Successor with European Experience

In an ideal scenario, Liverpool’s right-back structure for 2025/26 would include Conor Bradley continuing his development with a clearer sense of succession planning. Vanderson fits that profile — young, elite-level upside, and already exposed to the intensity of top-tier competition in both Ligue 1 and the Europa League. Since joining Monaco from Grêmio in 2022, he has steadily grown into a key figure at Stade Louis II and is now one of the most scouted fullbacks in Europe. In a market where top clubs with wealth are not seeing right back as a primary acquisition area, this is where Liverpool’s Sporting CEO, Michael Edwards, can exploit the opportunity and grab a wonderful talent for a reasonable price. The last time the brilliant executive ventured into Monaco to hold an asset saw him leave with Fabinho, who went on to become a legendary enforcer who showed what can be unearthed from the French league.

Vanderson’s game brings a technical elegance mixed with powerful ball-carrying ability and sharp defensive instincts. He’s not a carbon copy of Alexander-Arnold — and that may be the point regarding playing evolution. Where Trent offers elite final-third distribution, Vanderson leans into acceleration, link-up play, and upwards progression. It’s an evolution of the role rather than a replication, and one that would allow Slot to shape a more balanced, modern system. The more powerful running and recovery that is created on the flank will offer more inward opportunities for Mohamed Salah, where Andy Robertson and his up-and-down style once benefited the former great, Sadio Mané.

A Dynamic Partner for Bradley

This is not just about replacing Alexander-Arnold’s minutes — it’s about rebuilding the position around flexibility and rotation. Vanderson could compete directly for the starting role while still allowing Bradley meaningful development time. Unlike a stopgap solution, the Brazilian would be seen as the future of the position, but without the need to rush Conor Bradley’s trajectory. Whether or not the fanbase want to see another graduate excel is irrelevant, as unless the youngster can prove his body can withstand the rigours of Premier League football and stay fit, he, like many others before him, will merely become a player that could have, should have, but didn’t make the grade. The bar is set very high for a silverware-laden reason, and sentimental qualities should come after on-pitch dependability.

Concerning a move for the Brazilian fullback, It’s a move similar to what Liverpool did when they signed Diogo Jota: building strength in a key position while still trusting internal talent. A dynamic right-back pairing of Vanderson and Bradley would offer Slot two highly mobile options with differing strengths — and that tactical flexibility could prove critical across four competitions.

An Investment with Resale and Prime Value

At just 23, Vanderson is only beginning his prime years. A fee in the €30 million range would reflect both his current level and potential ceiling. Crucially, he would still retain high resale value and represents the type of athletic, multifunctional profile that aligns with Liverpool’s recruitment model under Michael Edwards. What costs €30m today could easily recoup double that in two years, given the stature that playing for Liverpool brings.

Vanderson represents long-term asset value in a position Liverpool has not invested in since 2016. Given the likely outgoings this summer — including Trent and possibly Kostas Tsimikas — Liverpool will have room to reinvest wisely and redevelop their flanks to suit what the head coach needs.

Why It Makes Perfect Sense

In a summer where money will be spent on a specialist defensive midfielder, a new left-back, a new striker, a wide forward and potentially a centre-back, Liverpool may still need to make at least one longer-term investment in the fullback areas. Vanderson offers the kind of high-upside, data-aligned profile that modern elite clubs prioritise — athletic, versatile, and technically excellent. There is very little downside.

The long-term plan might still involve Conor Bradley, but Vanderson gives Liverpool a viable new version of the right-back position. If the club is to move forward without Alexander-Arnold, this is the kind of deal that keeps them future-proof. The next great Liverpool fullback might not come for free, but he could come from Monaco and follow in the footsteps of another samba star that arrived from the illustrious Monaco, which would be Fabinho, a man who excelled in his tenure on Merseyside.