Trent Alexander-Arnold breaks silence on Liverpool future – as links to Real Madrid ramp up with his contract up in the summer
Trent Alexander-Arnold has spoken out about his future at boyhood club Liverpool as speculation arises over a possible move to Real Madrid with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
The defender has been with the Reds since 2004, made the first team in 2016 and quickly became a fan favorite with his sharp crosses and dangerous set pieces.
Since then, Alexander-Arnold has won the lot, lifting the Champions League trophy in 2019 and the Premier League title a year later, as well as an FA Cup and two League Cups.
He looks set to enjoy even more success later this season, with Liverpool making a remarkable start under new boss Arne Slot and moving four points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
But the 26-year-old could be ready for a move with contract negotiations stalling in recent weeks and major European sides including Real Madrid circling the star.
Indeed, Alexander-Arnold has remained somewhat coy about his future at Anfield, with teammate Mohamed Salah’s situation receiving more attention, but he has now broken his silence in an interview with Air sports.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has spoken out about his future at boyhood club Liverpool
The defender has won a lot at the club at Anfield, including the Champions League in 2019
He is also starting to break into England, having been frozen out regularly in the past
He said: ‘I’ve been at the club for 20 years now and have signed four or five contract extensions… and none of them have played out in public.
“Not this one either.”
It comes after pundit Rio Ferdinand suggested it would be a ‘monumental’ achievement if Liverpool managed to keep all three of their out-of-contract stars beyond the summer transfer window.
Captain Virgil van Dijk, along with Alexander-Arnold and Salah, is also a potential departure from Anfield next year, with less than six months to go before the trio’s deals as free agents in June 2025.
Mail Sport reported on Sunday that the club has made initial contact with Salah over a new contract offer, but the Egyptian star does not appear close to reaching an agreement with the Reds over an extension of his time on Merseyside.
All three have the right to talk to foreign clubs from January 1, with a number of European clubs said to be surrounding the star players with the intention of securing their services for nothing.
“If the club can achieve all three, it will be a monumental moment,” Ferdinand told TNT Sports. “(They are all) tremendous talents and the service they have given is tremendous.
‘They are among the greats, but I don’t see them getting all three done. I think Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah will stay, (but) this is an opportunity for someone like Trent to go to Real Madrid.
Mohamed Salah has been in exceptional form of late and his contract also expires this summer
Virgil van Dijk, meanwhile, will be free to talk to other clubs from January as his contract is about to expire
Arne Slot has led his side to 19 wins, two draws and just one defeat in his first 22 games in charge
‘A club like this doesn’t come along very often and the way things are going, he will never get an easier opportunity than he has now, so he will find it difficult (to stay).’
Steve McManaman – who himself made the switch from Anfield to the Bernabeu in 1999 – suggested Liverpool would focus on their captain and top scorer rather than Alexander-Arnold.
“Now the backbone is Van Dijk and Mo,” the fellow expert added. “It will be impossible to replace all three, but it is important to get Mo and Virgil.
“Trent, it’s up to him. With Mo and Virgil, they are at an age where they still want to play at a high level and probably have fewer options. I think it will be easier.’