Liverpool chiefs’ feelings on Trent Alexander-Arnold hint at Real Madrid transfer

The prospect of Trent Alexander-Arnold joining Real Madrid has moved a step closer following reports that Liverpool chiefs do not consider the player irreplaceable. Despite months of speculation over contract negotiations, the England right-back is yet to extend his deal at Anfield, and is currently eligible to leave on a free transfer this summer.

Alexander-Arnold is not the only Liverpool star whose future appears in doubt, with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk also nearing the final six months of their contracts.

But it’s the 26-year-old who appears most likely to leave, having refused to publicly state any desire to stay with the Merseyside club beyond this season.

Northern Ireland defender Conor Bradley has proved an able deputy during the past two seasons, and impressed during his recent run of first-team games before being sidelined by injury. And according to Spanish outlet Revelo, club bosses don’t view Alexander-Arnold as an ‘indispensable’ player.

The academy product has played 328 club games since breaking into the first team in the 2016/17 campaign, helping them lift every domestic trophy as well as the 2018/19 Champions League. Under Jurgen Klopp he was also deployed in midfield at times, a tactic repeated by former England coach Gareth Southgate.

However, there have been question marks over his defensive positional play. And it appears that the Reds will be prepared to let him head to Spain if they cannot make an imminent breakthrough with contract talks.

The report does also state that a deal with Real is still some considerable way from being finalised. Alexander-Arnold will be able to strike a pre-contract agreement with a club from abroad in January, but would not officially move until June.

The star has stuck up a close friendship with current Real midfielder Jude Bellingham, who is said to be trying to persuade his international team-mate to join him at club level. And this week, another player to make the move from Anfield to the Bernabeu warned Alexander-Arnold he will have to “live and die” by whatever decision he makes.

Michael Owen spent a season with the La Liga giants in the 2002/05 campaign. Like ’TAA’, he’d previously come through the Liverpool youth and academy ranks and was revered by club fans before opting to leave.

“I was crying going to the airport because I didn’t want to leave,” he told AceOdds. “But it was such an opportunity. I didn’t want to make a decision. I almost wanted a decision to be made for me. I was so 50-50 but that doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter because at the end of the day, you do one or the other.

“You’re now committed and you’re now going to do it. No regrets. That’s what I decided at the time, even though it was a close call. That’s what I decided and you have to live and die by your decisions.”