Liverpool 'resigned to losing Trent Alexander-Arnold' and Slot's star may leave in January

Liverpool are ‘resigned’ to losing Trent Alexander-Arnold in a blockbuster switch to Real Madrid, according to claims made by the Spanish media. The England star’s contract expires in the summer and he will be able to discuss a free transfer exit to a foreign club from January if he does not extend his terms before then.

Alexander-Arnold has spent his entire career at Liverpool but has been strongly linked with a move to Spain. La Liga champions Real are said to be interested in a potential switch, uniting the 25-year-old with his friend and Three Lions team-mate Jude Bellingham.

He is one of three high-profile Liverpool players who have not yet extended their contracts beyond 2025, with the futures of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk also unclear. Alexander-Arnold was named vice-captain at Anfield a year ago, deputising for Van Dijk.

But Spanish publication Marca report that Reds chiefs are ‘resigned’ to the academy graduate’s departure at the end of the season. It is claimed that no progress has been made on an extension to the right-back’s contract.

Los Blancos could even attempt to strike an early deal with Liverpool, the report adds. Real are hoping to move forward with plans to strengthen their defence to the January window, with some deals expected to be ‘rushed’ through.

However, journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Alexander-Arnold is giving Liverpool a ‘priority’ in discussions over his future. The Premier League side will hope they can strike a late deal and tie down one of their prized assets for the long term.

Speculation over Alexander-Arnold’s future comes only a few months after Mohamed Salah admitted this season is likely to be his last with Liverpool. The Egyptian revealed in September that nobody from the club had spoken to him about a renewal.

Speaking to Sky Sports after helping Liverpool dismantle Manchester United at Old Trafford, Salah said: “I was coming to the game, I was saying, ‘look, it could be the last time’.

“Nobody in the club talked to me yet about contracts so I was just like, ‘OK, I play my last season and see at the end of the season’. I feel I am free to play football – we will see what happens next year.”

Alexander-Arnold and Salah have both enjoyed excellent starts to the new Premier League season, putting fears over their futures to one side. Liverpool have lost just one of their nine games under Arne Slot, and they sit top of the league.