Liverpool have made an outstanding start to the season under new manager Arne Slot but the dark clouds of speculation are on the horizon as well.
The Reds are sitting at the top of the Premier League table going into the second international break of the new season and have won six of the opening seven league games.
Slot has settled quickly as Liverpool’s manager and several players have responded to his coaching and tactics positively through improved performances.
However, the Liverpool hierarchy were lethargic in the summer transfer window and failed to sign the defensive midfielder the Dutchman wanted.
The Liverpool board are set to face more pressure in the coming months due to the contract situations of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The three stalwarts of Liverpool’s recent success could leave for nothing next summer and there is a real worry that Liverpool could lose Alexander-Arnold at the peak of his powers.
James Pearce provides an update on the defender’s future at Liverpool
Real Madrid are interested in signing the defender on a free transfer and there were suggestions that they could try and get him in the winter window itself.
However, Pearce has rubbished those claims and insisted that Alexander-Arnold won’t be leaving Liverpool in the middle of the season.
He stressed the negotiations are still ongoing between Liverpool and the defender over a new contract and the player has not made a definitive decision yet.
“There’s absolutely zero chance that Trent will go anywhere in January”, the Athletic reporter said on the Walk On Podcast.
“I saw some nonsense about Real Madrid planning a bid for him in January. I don’t believe that’s true, absolute nonsense.
“My information at the moment is that there is no decision that has been taken, those [contract] talks are ongoing.”
Real Madrid want their pursuit of Alexander-Arnold to be above reproach and will only make a ‘legal move‘ for him in January when he will become free to discuss a pre-contract with clubs outside England.
Liverpool will hope that by then an agreement over a new deal will be in place between the club and the player.
