Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly laid down the gauntlet to Liverpool and is increasingly likely to give Arne Slot a year to convince him to stay at Anfield, or link up with England pal Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid.
Various reports have claimed that Madrid have stepped up their interest in signing the right-back and are now making concrete plans to sign the Reds’ vice-captain, handing a hammer blow as Slot begins his Liverpool reign.
It had previously been unclear whether Alexander-Arnold, a boyhood Liverpool fan who grew up on Merseyside, would be willing to leave the only club he has represented in his senior career.
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But the Independent claim that a move to the Bernabeu is becoming increasingly tempting, with his growing friendship with Bellingham another draw. However, he is likely to stay at Liverpool for another year and see how they perform after Jurgen Klopp’s departure, before assessing his future again.
Liverpool fans had been overjoyed by the closeness of Alexander-Arnold and Bellingham, when the midfielder had been weighing up his options after Borussia Dortmund, but now that relationship could come back to bite them if Madrid can sign a second English star.
Some within the England squad at Euro 2024 feel that Alexander-Arnold’s bond with Bellingham could play a crucial role in where his future lies.
However, one key question remains. If Alexander-Arnold is to assess his future at the end of the season, he could be doing so as a free agent. The 25-year-old has just one year left on his current deal at Anfield and is free to talk to foreign clubs in January regarding a pre-contractual agreement.
Liverpool will be encouraged by Alexander-Arnold’s previous comments that he wants to stay at the club for the remainder of his career and one day become captain. Current skipper Virgil van Dijk’s contract is also up in less than 12 months, posing a similar worry for the Reds hierarchy.
“There is nowhere else I’d rather be than Liverpool,” Alexander-Arnold told The Times in 2018. “Somewhere I want to stay for the rest of my career is Liverpool. It’s what I’ve always dreamed of. Liverpool are special. It’s completely down to the fans. Whether we are winning or losing we always have their love.
"I want to become captain one day. That’s definitely a dream of mine. I hope with dedication, the right advice and the hard work that still needs to be put in that one day I might achieve that dream of becoming captain, something that me and my family will be very proud of if it comes."
Liverpool seemingly have a year to convince Alexander-Arnold to fulfil his own prophecy and bat away interest from Madrid, ensuring that even more pressure is piled onto Slot’s first season at Anfield.
