Liverpool XI in 5 years as Trent Alexander-Arnold makes contract decision

Rumors continue to swirl about the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool as the star fullback's contract pushes deeper into its final season .

If he stays, Alexander-Arnold would likely sign a five-year deal and remain as one of the club's highest-paid players (he's already in the top five) - and he'd undoubtedly be the favorite to replace Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool captain.

The end of a new five-year deal would take him into the 2028-29 season. Mohamed Salah would be 36 and Van Dijk would be 37 on the opening matchday, meaning the starting XI around Alexander-Arnold would look very different.

Here's how we project the starting XI to look in 2028-29 should Trent (who would be captain) ink a new five-year deal with Liverpool...

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Goalkeeper and defenders

Liverpool didn't sign Valencia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili for €30 million (over $33 million) this summer for fun; by 2028, he'll be 27 and expected to replace a 35-year-old Alisson in goal.

A 25-year-old Jarrell Quansah, who is right-footed, would anchor the right-sided center-back slot next to current Sporting star Goncalo Inacio . The left-footed Portuguese defender would only be 27 at the start of the 2028-29 campaign and has already been linked to Liverpool multiple times -- a €55 million move in the summer of 2025 or 2026 will bring him to Anfield to replace Van Dijk.

Bombarding fullback Conor Bradley will be just 25 and should be entrusted in the right fullback spot. Expect Arne Slot to replace an aging Andy Robertson on the left side, so he'll bring in current Feyenoord left-back Quilindschy Hartman in the next few years. Hartman logged five assists in the Eredivisie last year and is very comfortable in possession -- a €30 million should be enough to bring in a player who will only be 26 in 2028.

Midfielders

Alexander-Arnold will still have a place in the starting XI, and the would-be-29-year-old will finally have transitioned into a midfield. He'll be the key distributor in a midfield three alongside either Dominik Szoboszlai (will be 27) or Alexis Mac Allister (will be 29).

Alexander-Arnold would likely slot on the right side in a midfield trio -- the same position Szoboszlai usually plays. However, he adds more thrust than Mac Allister (who usually sits in the middle or the left), though the Argentinian can provide some ball-carrying if needed.

They'll be anchored by Stefan Bajcetic, currently on loan at RB Salzburg under Pep Lijnders, as the lone 6. The teenager will amazingly only be 23 at the start of the 2028-29 campaign and should be physically ready to step into a title-chasing XI.

Forwards

We've made the biggest calls here. With Salah likely retired and Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota all 30 or over, Harvey Elliott gets the nod on the right wing. He'll be 26 with years as a Liverpool substitute under his belt and be finally ready to step into the starting XI for the club that signed him all the back in 2019.

With the current crop of wingers ruled out, Liverpool could look to spend on a new left-winger. With owner John Henry proving frugal in recent windows, the club will instead opt for Lewis Koumas (currently 18). He's torn up the Championship for loan club Stoke City to the tune of 0.89 npXG+xA per 90 in three games and earned his first start for Wales senior team.

By 2028, Darwin Nunez will have learned how to finish consistently. The Uruguayan will be only 29 years-old in 2028 and finally ready to emerge as the unquestioned starter in the Liverpool XI.