Trent Alexander-Arnold's true feelings on Liverpool boss Arne Slot as Real Madrid circle

Trent Alexander-Arnold has emphasised the crucial role of Arne Slot’s rapport with his squad in Liverpool’s quest for glory this season. The Dutchman, who took over from Jurgen Klopp during the summer, has led the team to 19 victories in his first 22 games at the helm.

As a result, the Reds are currently leading both the Premier League and Champions League tables, an achievement made even more remarkable given the ongoing speculation surrounding the futures of Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. All three players’ contracts are set to expire at the end of the season, with Real Madrid reportedly keen on securing the services of the Liverpool vice-captain on a free transfer next summer.

While Van Dijk and Salah have publicly expressed their wish to remain at Anfield, Alexander-Arnold has remained tight-lipped about his own plans, insisting that discussions about his future should not be conducted in the public eye out of respect for his childhood club. Despite the rumours, the England international has been performing exceptionally well since returning from a hamstring injury.

He has now highlighted the strong bond between the Liverpool players, Slot and his coaching staff as a key factor in the Reds’ successful campaign so far. “We’re just so kind of assured that we’re going to get results in games because we believe so much in [the] game plan,” he told the club’s website.

“It’s always important, especially under a new manager, to have a relationship that works both ways, which is what we’ve got. He needs to believe in us that we’re good enough to carry out the game plans and go and get the results and understand and apply what he tells us to do.

“Likewise, us as players, we need to see that the style of play and the tactics and the game plans are working and will get us results.

“I think from the first few games we really got that and then from then on, when you’ve got that belief flowing both ways it’s always going to be a good journey.”

In a discussion about his passion for passing, Alexander-Arnold revealed his admiration for Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard and former England captain David Beckham. He also delved into his synergy with team-mate Salah: “You understand your players,” he explained.

“What they like and what they don’t like and what gives them the best chance to score or put them in a position where they can attack the defender.

“Mo can receive any ball, to be honest, but we have a connection where [I play it] over the top or he’s a runner, he likes to get in behind and then be isolated one-v-one.”

“Whichever way I pass the ball, he knows what to do and what I mean by the pass. You’ve just got to understand your players and understand what they appreciate and what they don’t really.”

“Every pass should be delivered as a message without having to talk. I think the person who receives the ball should know just from how the ball is played to you what the situation is for you – whether you can turn, whether you have to play it back, whether it’s in space. They should understand what your thinking was through the pass.”

“For me, it’s always been passing. I’ve always admired it, from a very young age. I was fortunate enough to grow up in an era where the passers of the ball were incredible.”

Recalling his inspirations, he continued: “I was able to grow up watching [Steven] Gerrard, [Xabi] Alonso, [David] Beckham, [Andrea] Pirlo, the Spanish legends as well within that. I was very, very fortunate to grow up witnessing that.”

“So I think from a young age I just always admired it; I thought it was a real art and a skill, and an artistry to it. Everything that goes into it – the weight of pass, the technique that you use, the speed of your pass.”