Real Madrid speak out on Trent Alexander-Arnold as £20m Liverpool bid expected

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti dodged questions about their interest in Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold in a press conference on Thursday.

Despite rumours circling after a snubbed enquiry just days ago, Liverpool remain firm in their intent to retain the 26-year-old England right-back, whose contract nears its end this summer.

Even whispers of Real Madrid preparing a second potentially fruitless bid of £20million have done little to dampen Liverpool’s determination.

Ancelotti remained tight-lipped on potential January signings: “It is difficult for me to talk about that in this context. But we are going to have to wait and see.

“We are focused on all these games in January and the game tomorrow (against Valencia) and I’ve got nothing more to say. It’s not sensible for me to speak about the market right now.

“I’m not going to speak about it because right now, here, is not the place to talk about it.

“We will see what will happen but I have a great squad. We have got injuries and problems with that but we are also able to overcome them.”

Madrid reportedly hit a brick wall on their initial approach, being bluntly informed that there would be no further dialogue on selling Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool are solely concentrated on their current leadership in both the Premier League and Champions League standings.

Liverpool remain steadfast in their position despite the January transfer window sparking increased speculation, especially now that the player can sign a pre-contract agreement elsewhere.

The Reds are still hopeful of securing a deal to keep their homegrown talent at Anfield.

Talks with the player’s representatives, including his brother Tyler who manages his affairs, have been active for months, and Liverpool have received no hints that Alexander-Arnold wishes to depart.

While team-mates Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have publicly discussed their contract situations, Alexander-Arnold has kept mum.

Last month, when quizzed about his future, he remarked: “I have been at the club 20 years now and I have signed four or five contract extensions… and none of those have been played out in public. This one won’t be either.”

Nonetheless, this won’t quell the rumour mill nor Real Madrid’s intensifying interest.