“You just focus on what you have to do” - Liverpool boss Arne Slot breaks silence on Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer links with Real Madrid
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has opened up on Real Madrid target Trent Alexander-Arnold's future. The English right-back will enter the final six months of his contract with the Reds in January and is yet to sign an extension.
Los Blancos are keeping a close eye on his situation as they look to prise him away in 2025. The LaLiga giants are searching for Dani Carvajal's successor and have found their man in the 26-year-old.
Alexander-Arnold has registered 319 appearances across competitions for the Merseyside club, scoring 19 goals and setting up 83 more. Liverpool remain keen to tie him down to a new deal amid rumours constantly linking him to Real Madrid.
Speaking to the press, as cited by Liverpool Echo, Slot insisted that the Englishman won't be affected by the transfer links.
"These players are used to being linked with all the top clubs on a daily basis, whether they have contracts or not. If you think they’re disturbed by these interests, then I think you don’t do justice to how strong they are mentally and what they are used to," said Slot.
He continued:
“This is part of our job. I was at Feyenoord last year and they linked me with many clubs and before that and before that. This is part of this world we are living in. You just focus on what you have to do. Maybe if you’re 17 or 18 years of age, that could be difficult for you."
He concluded:
"But Trent has won the league, has won the Champions League, Virgil and Mo are the same. I don’t think that is a problem for them to perform. That’s also what we see at the moment because they’re playing really well, put it that way.”
Recent reports have suggested that Real Madrid could move for the player in January to address Carvajal's absence due to injury.
Could Trent Alexander-Arnold turn down Real Madrid for Liverpool stay?
Trent Alexander-Arnold rose through the ranks at Liverpool but will find it hard to turn down a move to Real Madrid. The lure of Los Blancos has proven to be too hard to resist for many players in the past.
However, the Englishman could be wary of Dani Carvajal's presence at the Santiago Bernabeu. While the Spaniard is currently injured, dislodging the six-time Champions League winner from the starting XI next season won't be an easy task.
Alexander-Arnold may not be guaranteed regular game time if he decides to join Real Madrid. As such, Alexander-Arnold could be tempted to turn down the LaLiga giants to stay at Anfield and become a Liverpool legend.