Forward of Arne Slot‘s first season in cost on the Anfield helm, conserving maintain of his greatest gamers must be his prime concern.
Whereas a lot of the summer time hypothesis centres on who could also be coming in, there’s one man already enjoying in crimson who Slot will likely be determined to maintain maintain of.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is heading into the ultimate yr of his contract amid ongoing hypothesis of curiosity from Spanish giants Actual Madrid.
Different key figures in Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah even have contracts expiring subsequent yr, however Alexander-Arnold’s age means tying him right down to a recent deal must be the primary precedence for the membership this summer time.
A participant heading into his prime
There’s little doubt that the 25-year-old would step into any eleven in Europe and instantly enhance them.
As a membership with a wealthy historical past of competing on the continent, forfeiting a participant of his expertise would supply an enormous leg-up for his or her rivals domestically and overseas.
He was a significant pillar in Liverpool’s success below Klopp, who handed him his debut in opposition to Tottenham within the Carabao Cup again in October 2016.
Already boasting 310 appearances for the membership, Alexander-Arnold has gained each main trophy on supply in crimson and rightly stands as one of many standout gamers in his place throughout the sport.
The Liverpudlian can be nonetheless but to enter his prime years, which means Liverpool might threat one other membership having fun with his greatest days in the event that they don’t handle the state of affairs appropriately within the coming months.
Conor Bradley‘s emergence throughout the Scouser’s spell on the sidelines cushioned the blow of the No. 66’s absence final season, however dropping him completely would absolutely depart the membership with the unattainable job of changing the perfect right-back at the moment working within the sport.
The specter of Bellingham?
Actual Madrid have already pried one generational expertise from the grasp of Liverpool.
Los Blancos introduced the signing of midfielder Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund final summer time after months of hypothesis linking him with a swap to the Reds.
The transfer did nothing to hurt Alexander-Arnold’s relationship with Bellingham, although, and the 2 have remained good mates regardless of the latter’s determination to signal with the Spanish giants.
The pair have been pictured collectively frequently all through England’s Euro 2024 marketing campaign, and Bellingham will certainly look to plant seeds forward of a possible transfer to the Spanish capital for his fellow countryman.
Liverpool have benefitted from gamers luring former switch targets to the membership previously.
Gini Wijnaldum admitted telling Virgil van Dijk to ‘observe his coronary heart’ forward of the Dutch centre-back’s switch to Merseyside in January 2018.
Van Dijk then repaid the favour by convincing Cody Gakpo to place pen to paper with the membership 4 years later.
Liverpool might quickly discover themselves sufferer of player-to-player exchanges if Bellingham will get his means, although, and Alexander-Arnold might observe Kylian Mbappe as one other Madrid assertion signing as they give the impression of being to dominate Europe as soon as once more over the approaching decade.
The plain benefit
The membership holds a big benefit over any potential suitors for Alexander-Arnold; he’s a born-and-bred Liverpool fan.
The Scouser has spoken about his deep love for the membership on quite a few events and can absolutely wish to stay in Liverpool colors supplied the membership can fulfill any expectations.
The Mail‘s Lewis Steele reported that Alexander-Arnold “has given no indication” of a want to depart the membership again in March regardless of the continuing rumours of Madrid’s curiosity.
Steele additionally stated the West Derby-born defender “loves the concept of someday turning into captain at Anfield and was eager to be a part of a ‘new cycle of success’ on the membership.”
Negotiations ought to absolutely be simple with all events seemingly on the identical web page in wanting the defender to stay with the membership past subsequent summer time.
Not solely would a recent deal safe the providers of an immensely proficient participant however would additionally act as a press release transfer forward of a brand new period at Anfield below Dutch coach Slot.
Will he signal a brand new contract?
Although any reply to this query is solely guesswork on the time of writing, the defender’s lengthy affinity with the membership coupled with Liverpool’s observe report of conserving maintain of senior gamers lately suggests he’ll stay in crimson for the foreseeable future.
Regardless of harbouring a few of the greatest gamers on the earth during the last six or so years, Philippe Coutinho and Wijnaldum stay the one two gamers to depart on the peak of their powers throughout that point.
Even they seemingly remorse opting to maneuver away from Merseyside after struggling a big decline in type throughout their post-Liverpool careers.
Liverpool have gained a fame for his or her effectivity in negotiating, whether or not it’s with gamers already on the books or these they search to herald.
Following the return of Michael Edwards and the appointment of Richard Hughes at boardroom degree, count on negotiations with Alexander-Arnold to ramp up within the coming months because the membership appears to be like to retain probably the most naturally gifted gamers with a ball at his toes.
