Trent Alexander-Arnold is now reported to have made it clear to Liverpool that he will be joining Real Madrid on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Alexander-Arnold will be a free agent in just over three months and it has become increasingly apparent the right-back intends to depart Anfield.
While the insistence has been that the situation would not play out in public, ongoing reports from Spain have claimed that a deal with Real Madrid was close.
• READ: Trent Alexander-Arnold has “turned down” improved Liverpool contract
Last week, Marca reported that “[his] decision was made a long time ago” and “nothing will change his mind,” while AS wrote that “the signing is 99 percent done.”
That appears to have taken a step closer to being finalised, with journalist Fabrizio Romano describing the situation as “deal on” on Tuesday.
‘Alexander-Arnold to Real contract agreed’
talkSPORT‘s Alex Crook has further added that Alexander-Arnold has agreed a five-year contract with the Spanish champions worth over £220,000 per week.
“Real are believed to have kept Liverpool informed throughout the process,” Crook added, and the club would therefore now be aware of their vice-captain’s intentions.
While sources on Merseyside are yet to corroborate these claims – and much of that would depend on Liverpool’s stance over making any development public – there has been a noticeable lack of confidence over talks with Alexander-Arnold.
That is unlike Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, who are also yet to reach a breakthrough in negotiations over new terms with Liverpool but are still considered likely to sign.
Alexander-Arnold has long been viewed as the most realistic departure from that key trio, given his age at 26 and the scale of interest from Real Madrid.
‘Trent news will overshadow Liverpool’s title win’
Matt Ladson (@mattladson)
Supporters, as always, will be divided on the rights and wrongs of Alexander-Arnold’s exit. Some will strongly blame the boyhood Red who talked of winning it all in his city. Others will vehemently blame the owners, FSG, for allowing the situation to happen.
The reality is, both sides of the argument have merit.
What is perhaps most difficult to stomach is that Alexander-Arnold has hidden behind claims of not wanting to play out contract talks in public, refusing interviews as the club’s vice-captain, and leaving on a free.
The departure would certainly be easier to stomach if the club were getting a sizeable fee and thus able to reinvest that into the squad rebuild that they now face.
With Alexander-Arnold gone, Liverpool need to sign a first-choice right-back, left-back and likely two centre-forwards, arguably a centre midfielder, and who knows if replacements for Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk will also be required.
What’s most disappointing in the short term is how this overshadows the end to the season that should be a huge celebration for the Reds. How will Alexander-Arnold be received? Will he even play again? Will he join the parade?
There’s far too much uncertainty surrounding the squad, and while news of an exit for Trent adds some clarity, it leaves far more questions than answers.
If a transfer is confirmed, however, his status as a boyhood Liverpool fan will make it particularly difficult for supporters to accept.
Much of the blame will be place at the feet of those at the club, who will have known his contract situation but saw action over an extension delayed due to instability off the pitch.
Jurgen Klopp‘s sudden departure clearly did not help things, nor Liverpool losing two sporting directors – Michael Edwards and Julian Ward – in quick succession and appointing Jorg Schmadtke as a short-term replacement solely focused on transfers.
• READ: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s “legacy tainted” with “unforgivable” Real Madrid move
Though Liverpool now have their affairs in order following a restructure within Fenway Sports Group and the club’s boardroom, it seems to have come too late.
But for Alexander-Arnold, who grew up with the dream of emulating Steven Gerrard as captain of the club, running down his contract and joining Real Madrid on a free will be viewed as a betrayal by many on Merseyside.
Liverpool pass map shows how much Trent is relied on
This graphic, via StatsBomb, looks at Liverpool’s most commonly played passes in open play buildup throughout the Premier League season, and it shows an obvious nod to Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah.
The ball is more readily progressed up the pitch via the right flank (yellow, Alexander-Arnold) and creates opportunities in attack on the right wing (purple, Salah).
Van Dijk and Slot’s other central players all show a trend of pushing the ball to the right, which is in no way a surprise considering Salah’s potency – he has 27 goals and 17 assists in the league.
It is obvious then why Liverpool struggled in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle as Jarell Quansah does not offer the same progression qualities as Alexander-Arnold – and few do.
Salah ended Sunday’s game with just 23 touches and only one in the opposition box, a direct result of being isolated as the passing lanes Alexander-Arnold can identify could not be taken advantage of.
The graphic shows the reliance on three key players who may or may not be here next season, but also how Slot can see it evolve with transfers and time on the training pitch in pre-season.
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