Arne Slot says he is disappointed that Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool - but the boss is confident that they can live without him and other players will step up.
The vice-captain finally ended a long-running saga on Bank Holiday Monday when he announced his decision to leave the Anfield club he joined aged six.
He is finalising the terms of a long-term contract at Real Madrid after a 20-year association with Liverpool - and Slot said: ‘Like everybody who likes Liverpool and is a fan of Liverpool we are disappointed in him leaving.
‘Because it is not only a good human leaving, but a very good full-back is leaving us as well.
'But I also worked at clubs like AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord where every season a very good player or multiple very good players left the club, so I am maybe a bit more used to it.
‘But the experience I have - and this club as well - is that if a very good player is leaving, the next very good player will step up, and that is probably what is going to happen now.'
Arne Slot has broken his silence on Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool exit this summer
Alexander-Arnold took to social media on Monday to reveal he would be leaving the club
Slot said he was disappointed at the defender's decision because of his quality and personality
Slot was referring to Alexander-Arnold's deputy, Conor Bradley, who will start Liverpool's clash with Arsenal on Sunday.
The manager has asked for people to not compare the two but says Northern Ireland international Bradley has what it takes to step up - if he can become more consistent with his fitness.
‘Let's not compare him with Trent now already, they are two different types in my opinion,' said the Dutchman.
‘With Conor we all see the potential - but last week I walked on to the pitch together with him and I looked around because it was my first time (at Stamford Bridge).
‘And I was very surprised that he made a comment about the stadium as well because it was the first time he was there as well.
‘That was a bit of a surprise to me, because I thought he was further in his development than being at an away game like Chelsea for the first time.
'Very talented player, Conor, unfortunately hasn't been fit through the season.
‘To become a very good player you have to be available every week and that is the first step he has to take next season but we have confidence in Conor as a very good full-back for Liverpool and that is already what he has shown for Liverpool.'
Alexander-Arnold played in Liverpool's 3-1 defeat by Chelsea on Sunday afternoon - before announcing his exit from the Merseyside giants early on Monday morning
He also insisted that people shouldn't compare Conor Bradley to Alexander-Arnold
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Slot knows there may be some negativity thrown Alexander-Arnold's way in the final two home games but he says he hopes the energy goes to the other players instead of booing the right back.
‘People have an opinion about us, that is not new for anyone, probably a bit more now than he is used to and a bit more negative but I don't follow all of this. I am not here to tell the fans how to react.
‘We are all disappointed but Trent is the first one who said he would prefer us as a team and a club to not be too distracted by this announcement.
'I am hoping all the energy goes to the team and players and less to Trent, unless it is positive.'
La ligaReal MadridArne SlotArsenal