Could Andrea Cambiaso Replace Trent Alexander-Arnold At Liverpool?

While Liverpool are cruising to the Premier League title, there has been one topic dominating the conversation; the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold. But if the homegrown star does decide to leave Anfield this summer, it seems Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso might be the man to replace him.

Countless well-sourced reports – including this one – insist that Alexander-Arnold is all but certain to join Real Madrid, leaving Liverpool with a difficult task of replacing the 26-year-old superstar.

Yet it may well be that they turn to a player who was strongly linked with his own move to the Spanish capital back in January, as discussed in this previous column. Manchester City were also interested in signing Cambiaso during that winter transfer window, underlining just how highly regarded the Italy international has become.

Cambiaso: From Genoa to Liverpool?

It is a far cry from where Cambiaso was at the start of his professional career. Born in Genoa and progressing through the youth ranks of his hometown club, he struggled to get anywhere near the Rossoblu first team.

A series of loans to lower league clubs, spending time with Albissola, Savona, Alessandria and Empoli before finally making his Genoa debut in August 2021. Later that month he would score his first goal for the club, and Cambiaso’s performances across the rest of the campaign would lead to him joining Juventus.

Yet no sooner had that €8.5 million ($9.69 million) move been made official than another switch was agreed. But while some of his previous loans were ill-advised and counterproductive, going on loan to Bologna for the 2022/23 season would prove to be nothing short of transformational for Cambiaso.

Indeed, after the team made a poor start, Siniša Mihajlović was replaced by Thiago Motta and Bologna would go on to record what was then their best ever campaign in the three points for a win era.

Flourishing under Thiago Motta

Cambiaso would play a starring role, and gives the Coach much of the credit. “From a tactical point of view, Thiago Motta made me discover things that I had never seen,” the defender said in an interview with Corriere dello Sport.

Juve were so impressed that they decided to keep him in Turin the following season, Cambiaso quickly establishing himself in Max Allegri’s starting XI and earning a place in the Italy squad for UEFA Euro 2024.

The Bianconeri would then replace Allegri with Motta and few players benefited more from that than Cambiaso. Already familiar with the demands of the former Inter midfielder, he would prove to be a versatile weapon who was deployed on the wing, as a wing-back and as an orthodox full-back on either flank.

October’s international break saw Cambiaso net his first goal for Italy, and that opener in the Azzurri’s 2-2 draw with Belgium attracted yet more attention. Strong links with Manchester City ultimately came to nothing, but the speculation and an ankle injury certainly took their toll.

“It has been quite a tough period for me since December,” Cambiaso told Sky Italia last month. “I’m still not 100% to be honest, but I’m trying to get back into shape. I was a little unlucky, because the injury wasn’t serious but did drag on a bit and affect my mobility.

“Then, there was the transfer stuff too. But I’m learning to keep more of a balance and play well even when I’m not at 100%.” That is undoubtedly true, and is reflected in statistics that show Cambiaso has been a key figure for Juve who makes his impact felt at both ends of the field.

What Cambiaso would bring to Liverpool

While it is impossible for any full-back to replace the unique contributions of Alexander-Arnold, Cambiaso certainly stacks up well against the more orthodox players at his position.

According to WhoScored.com, the Juve man has been in fine form defensively, averaging 1.8 tackles, 0.6 interceptions and 1.5 blocks per 90 mins, while fbRef.com figures show he has made 5.13 ball recoveries per 90.

That sees Cambiaso rank in the 86th percentile across Europe’s top five leagues, and his quality on the ball stacks up equally well. While his passing range is more solid than spectacular, he has connected with 62.2 passes per 90 – sitting in the 94th percentile – at an 88.5% completion rate.

Furthermore, fbRef figures show Cambiaso has made 3.44 Progressive Carries (93rd percentile) and 4.84 Progressive Passes (81st percentile) to help his side transition quickly from attack to defence.

There is certainly a feeling his attacking output could be improved, with just two goals and one assist in 29 league appearances so far this term, trailing Alexander-Arnold’s tally of three goals and six assists in the same number of appearances.

Yet Cambiaso’s average of 1.3 key passes per 90 is not too far behind the Liverpool man’s mark of 1.8, perhaps showing that in a better, more fluid attack, the chances created result in far more goals.

Could Andrea Cambiaso join Liverpool?

Having sacked Motta to bring in Igor Tudor, there is a growing feeling that there may be a number of other high profile departures in Turin this summer as the Bianconeri seek to balance their books.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool have joined Bayern Munich and Manchester City in pursuit of Cambiaso, an idea driven largely by the impending exit of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

While it remains to be seen if he is one of the players Juventus look to sell, Andrea Cambiaso is certainly one they could make a heavy profit on, particularly if Liverpool step up their interest.