Liverpool manager Arne Slot has dismissed transfer speculation surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold, insisting the defender is “fully focused” on his recovery from injury as reports link him with a move to Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold in advanced talks with Real Madrid
The England international, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is reportedly in advanced discussions with the Spanish giants over a free transfer to the Bernabéu.
The 25-year-old has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury during Liverpool’s Champions League last-16 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in March, forcing him to miss England’s recent World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
Alexander-Arnold is one of three Liverpool stars whose contracts expire this summer, alongside Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. Since January, all three have been free to negotiate pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs.
Slot downplays transfer speculation
Ahead of Liverpool’s Merseyside derby against Everton on Wednesday, Slot insisted the club remains focused on its objectives rather than contract uncertainty.
“His situation is, unfortunately, that he is injured, otherwise, people would have probably spoken about him having one or two brilliant performances for England,” Slot said on Tuesday.
“But he’s injured, and for him, that means he is fully focused on his recovery. For us, that means we are trying to help him get back as soon as possible.
“For the past eight months, there have been talks about him, Virgil, or Mo, but we have never focused on those discussions. Our focus has always been on what we have to do.
“For Virgil and Mo, that is trying to win the Merseyside derby, and for Trent, it’s making sure he can get fit as soon as possible.”
Liverpool’s title run
Liverpool heads into the season’s final stretch as overwhelming favourites to reclaim the Premier League title, sitting 12 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with nine games remaining.
Slot remains unfazed by the ongoing speculation, confident that his players can maintain their performance levels despite uncertainty over their futures.
“It’s a situation that has been there for eight or nine months now, and all three players have performed exceptionally well under these circumstances, so it doesn’t affect me at all,” he added.
