Liverpool appear to be finally addressing their most pressing tactical concern—finding a long-term successor for Trent Alexander-Arnold. The need for a player of his unique quality has become increasingly urgent, especially following Conor Bradley's injury earlier this season, which exposed a gap that sporting director Richard Hughes was always likely to face.

Replacing a player with Alexander-Arnold's extraordinary skill set has proven more difficult than anticipated. While Jeremie Frimpong has been linked with a move, manager Arne Slot reportedly views him more as an attacking winger than a conventional right-back. Frimpong's strengths are best utilized higher up the pitch, and his own injury history has raised further doubts about his suitability for a deeper defensive role.

Dominik Szoboszlai has occasionally filled in at right-back, but that has always felt like a temporary patch rather than a lasting solution. Beyond the defensive concerns, Liverpool are also feeling the absence of Alexander-Arnold's creativity—his ability to dictate play from deep and unlock defenses was a cornerstone of the team's identity.

Florian Wirtz was expected to help compensate for that creative loss, but the German playmaker is most effective further up the field, operating as a creator in and around the penalty area. Slot attempted to deploy Wirtz deeper earlier in the season to make up for Alexander-Arnold's absence, but the experiment didn't yield results.

For Liverpool's system to function properly, they need a player who can progress the ball and create chances from deep—a true line-breaker who can involve himself in the build-up and consistently generate high-quality opportunities. While no right-back in world football currently fits that profile, there is a midfielder who does.

Among Premier League central midfielders, Adam Wharton boasts the second-highest expected assists from open play (4), suggesting he possesses exactly the kind of creative vision and passing range Liverpool are searching for. Could the Crystal Palace star be the unexpected solution to Liverpool's most stubborn tactical puzzle?