Liverpool manager Arne Slot has put a ban on contract chatter at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby, quipping: "We don’t talk about contracts in here." But he's open to discussing Trent Alexander-Arnold's ambition to create 'a legacy'.
The Dutch coach candidly assessed the England defender's fluctuating form, with Alexander-Arnold being one of the high-profile players who could potentially exit Anfield for free when the season concludes.
Slot admires his vice-captain's determination after he made it clear he wants to go down as a footballing legend and acknowledges his standout performances against Manchester City and Newcastle.
But he noted: "He's done well but I still see with him ups and downs, during games or in between games." He adds that while Alexander-Arnold's consistency is improving, there's still progress to be made.
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Slot's admiration for the player's drive was evident as he reflected on Alexander-Arnold's own words about leaving a lasting mark.
He added: "In 10 or 15 years, if I'm spoken about as one of the best right backs or the best right back then that's what I'm playing for now and using it as motivation.
"I definitely like this in a player. I think this is something every player must have if you play at this level. If you don’t have this you probably don’t play at this level - as long as they understand that they need the team to be special as an individual.
"As long as they put the team first and as a result, be special themselves, that is what they all do – including Trent. All the top players have this, they want to be special, they want to be the best."
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Alexander-Arnold will start against Spurs on Sunday, as Slot selects from a squad that is only missing Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley.
And Slot puts his squad’s relatively clean bill of health down to extra holidays he gave to the players.
He explains: "We put a lot of effort in pre-season and made the decision to give them quite a lot of days off and I think we find the benefits."
"In Holland, some of the clubs only gave them seven or eight days off and they got injured. I have to make compliments for the performance staff. I think it is only two injuries left and a few are coming back - we only miss two on the training ground."
