Here he finally is! The perfect right-back for Liverpool | OneFootball

The perfect right-back for Liverpool is finally here.

Replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold has probably been Richard Hughes’ biggest challenge since arriving at Anfield.

At first, it looked like Conor Bradley was ready to step into the role. Liverpool had a lot of faith in him, and honestly, it made complete sense.

Whenever he’s played, he’s shown plenty of quality. The problem is that injuries have kept disrupting his progress, making it difficult for him to build any real momentum.

Then came Jeremie Frimpong, but his situation hasn’t exactly solved the issue either. While he clearly has the attacking qualities Liverpool like, there’s a growing feeling that Arne Slot sees him more as an advanced winger than a natural right-back.

Because of that, Liverpool are still searching for a true long-term successor to Alexander-Arnold. And this summer could finally give them the perfect chance to sort it out once and for all.

There are already concerns about depth in the position. Bradley may not be fit in time for pre-season, while Joe Gomez could leave permanently during the summer transfer window. If that happens, Liverpool would suddenly find themselves very short of options on the right side of defence.

That leaves the club with little choice but to enter the market, and fortunately for them, the ideal player now seems available at exactly the right time.

Liverpool do not necessarily need to find a direct replacement for Alexander-Arnold because, realistically, players like him barely exist in modern football. His creativity, passing range and overall influence from right-back made him a completely unique profile that is almost impossible to replicate.

What Liverpool really need instead is a modern full-back who can still have a major impact on games in a different way.

Ideally, the club’s next right-back should be comfortable driving forward with the ball, technically strong in possession, and capable of playing progressive passes that help break opposition lines.

Versatility is also important. Someone who can operate in multiple positions, much like Joe Gomez has done over the years, would give the squad far more flexibility.

Full-backs are becoming more important than ever in elite football. The best teams rely heavily on them to create chances, control transitions, and provide attacking width. Just look at the impact Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi have had for Paris Saint-Germain.

That is exactly the kind of influence Liverpool now need from the right side of their defence.

Right now, Pierre-Ismaëlo Ganiou seems like the perfect right-back for Liverpool.

You may not have heard much about Ganiou yet, but the 20-year-old has quietly emerged as one of the more intriguing young defenders in France after breaking into the first team at RC Lens this season.

Earlier in his career, Ganiou was mainly used as a wing-back or traditional right-back, roles that helped develop his attacking instincts and comfort on the ball. However, Lens have recently deployed him on the right side of a back three, and the switch seems to suit his game perfectly.

Playing as a right-sided centre-back gives him the freedom to step forward, carry the ball into dangerous areas and contribute higher up the pitch. He is quick across the ground, technically sharp and very composed in possession.

In attacking areas, he has the ability to spot clever forward passes, while also being confident enough to take on opponents himself when space opens up.

What makes Ganiou especially interesting is his versatility. He looks equally comfortable overlapping down the flank or drifting into central areas to help build play.

That flexibility would make him a very natural fit for Arne Slot, whose tactical system relies heavily on fluid full-backs capable of rotating positions throughout games.

© IMAGO - Pierre-Ismaëlo Ganiou Liverpool

Ganiou is simply an excellent defender and someone who can run up and down from one box to the other. His intensity, his forward passing ability makes the perfect player for Liverpool.

In Ligue 1 this season he ranks among the top five defenders for progressive passes (10.85 per 90 minutes) with an impressive 79% pass completion rate.

He also ranks among the top 10 defenders for forward passes per 90 minutes (27 per 90 minutes).

Being only 20-years-old, he's third and second player in Europe's top five leagues among U21 players in the two metrics.

So, we are talking about an elite talent here, who finally seems good enough to replace Alexander-Arnold, and who Liverpool should absolutely be looking to sign in the summer.