Liverpool manager Arne Slot responds to direct Trent Alexander-Arnold exit allegation

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has given his opinion on persistent media speculation suggesting Trent Alexander-Arnold will join Real Madrid as a free agent – and the Reds manager has indicated he wants the situation to be resolved soon for his deputy -captain, as well as for Mo Salah and Virgílio van Dijk.

The 26-year-old is one of Liverpool’s most important players, having risen through the academy to become considered one of, if not the, best right-backs in world football. With an incredible 102 goals (19 goals, 83 assists) in his 319 appearances, he boasts a formidable record as a defensive player.

However, with his contract expiring in June 2025, the Reds are in real danger of losing Alexander-Arnold to a free transfer next summer. And with their vice-captain eligible to sign a pre-contract abroad in just 74 days on January 1, speculation over a move to Real Madrid has intensified in recent weeks.

However, Slot remains unmoved by the situation and insists he can see nothing but the player’s total focus, as do his teammates Salah and Van Dijk, who find themselves in the same situation.

“These players are used to being linked to all the main clubs on a daily basis,” said the Reds coach at a press conference. “Whether they have contracts or not. If you think they are disturbed by these interests then I think you don’t do justice to how mentally strong they are and what they are used to. This is part of our work.

“I was at Feyenoord last year and they linked me with a lot of clubs and before that and before that. This is part of this world we live in. You just focus on what you have to do. Maybe if you’re 17 or 18, this might be difficult for you. But Trent won the championship, won the Champions League.

“Virgil and Mo are the same. I don’t think this is a problem for them to act. That’s also what we see at the moment because they’re playing really well, let’s put it that way.”

DON’T MISS: Alexander-Arnold is one of 10 global stars out of contract in 2025

Trent Alexander-Arnold: What did he say about Liverpool’s future?

Slot, however, indicated that he wants the decision to be resolved soon, adding: “For me, it’s not something that interests me. If after the last game of this season is played, it might bother me to think ‘Are they here or not?’ But my main focus now is the short term and I think in football it’s mainly the short term that matters – especially if you’re a manager.”

Slot’s comments certainly chime with a man not panicking, and perhaps for good reason. TEAMtalk sources inform us that the Reds remain “calm and confident” that Alexander-Arnold will sign on the dotted line and that staying at Anfield remains their top priority.

The player himself also indicated his plans to stay, stating: “I have always said that I want to be captain of the club. That’s my goal, if that happens it’s out of my hands.

“I want to be a Liverpool player this season (at the earliest), that’s what I’ll say.”

Asked what could influence this decision, he added: “The most important thing is always the trophies. I want to win trophies.

“We were close to the title last season and won a cup. The (quadruple) lasted a while, I suppose.

“This season we are doing very well, it is still early, but we need a lot of consistency. It will be difficult, but we want to win as many trophies as we can.”

Ironically, historical comments made by Alexander-Arnold also suggest he would prefer Barcelona to Real Madrid.

“I would say my other favorite team would be Barça,” he said HQ in 2020.

“I feel like they have the same values ​​and beliefs as Liverpool, they like to bring players into the academy. I grew up watching Messi and that special Barcelona team, with Iniesta, Xavi, Henry, Eto’o.”

Latest Liverpool transfer news: Fiorentina right-back eyed / Croatian gem targeted

As far as potential replacements for Alexander-Arnold are concerned, Liverpool were recently tipped to launch a move for Fiorentina’s Italian Under-21 star Michael Kayode, who has been allowed to leave if his asking price is met.

The news comes after speculation that Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong will also be targeted if Alexander-Arnold leaves.

Meanwhile, respected German journalist Christian Falk has revealed that Liverpool are battling Borussia Dortmund to sign Red Star Belgrade Andrija Maksimovic, who is seen as “one of football’s next great jewels” by the Bundesliga giants.

The star is only 17 years old, but he is already considered a big star in the making.

Elsewhere, the Reds remain linked with a move for Inter’s Nicolo Barella amid claims they are preparing a huge €80m bid to beat Real Madrid and Manchester City to his signature and amid claims the Serie A champions could be forced to sell in 2025.

Liverpool and City have been encouraged to sign English star Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, who has caught the eye of Dortmund this season.

According to Falk, the winger is ‘dreaming’ of returning to England, joining Liverpool or City.

Alexander-Arnold’s next deal will be the second biggest in Liverpool’s history

With his current £180,000-a-week contract expiring next summer, Liverpool know the latest deal they hope to strike for Alexander-Arnold will likely be the second most lucrative in their history.

Their current biggest earner is Salah, on £350,000 a week; If he agrees to sign, his new package at Anfield is likely to earn Alexander-Arnold a big pay rise.