Trent Alexander-Arnold highlighted his importance to the Liverpool team on Wednesday night at Newcastle United. He came on in the second half and created both of Mohamed Salah’s goals in the 3-3 draw at St. James Park. His attacking talent came to the fore and displayed why he is wanted at Real Madrid in the next summer transfer window.
The 26-year-old has yet to agree to sign a new contract despite negotiations dragging on for months between his representatives and Liverpool. As things stand, he can leave Anfield on a free transfer next summer and he can open talks over his departure from January onwards.
Liverpool have offered him a contract that would make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League but Real Madrid are prepared to match those terms and offer him a big signing-on fee.
The Reds are keen to hold on to one of the best success stories of their academy but so far, there has been no breakthrough in negotiations between the two sides.
Liverpool would not be doing their job if they were not looking at replacements and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong has been identified as their top target.
The Dutchman is expected to leave Leverkusen in the summer and has given his approval to a potential transfer to Liverpool at the end of the season.
Liverpool consider moving on from Trent Alexander-Arnold
The Reds are still committed to holding on to the defender but patience is running thin at Anfield as the talks threaten to drag into 2025.
Liverpool know that Alexander-Arnold will have all the power in the negotiations from January onwards and they are keen to ensure that they get his replacement lined up if he indeed decides to leave.
According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool are prepared to move on from the negotiations with the right-back if he doesn’t agree to be more flexible with regards to the new contract.
Can you name the team Liverpool sold these players to?
It has been claimed that the Reds are in constant contact with Frimpong and his representatives with a view to potentially signing him next summer.
The Merseyside giants are keen to make a concrete move for the Dutch defender if Alexander-Arnold doesn’t agree to sign a new contract.
The next few weeks are expected to be fascinating as Liverpool try to ascertain the defender’s intentions who is said to be prioritising staying at Anfield over other options.
The Reds must be more patient
While lining up a replacement for Alexander-Arnold is to be expected given it is getting awfully close to January, Liverpool must act more cautiously.
Frimpong is a wonderful player but he is no Alexander-Arnold. The 26-year-old is a symbol of Merseyside pride for Liverpool fans and will become the next captain if he stays.
Losing him would have a much more symbolic impact on the club, the squad and the fans and they must do everything to ensure that it doesn’t happen.
Liverpool must give Alexander-Arnold as much time as possible to make his decision if it means he will be at the club for the best period of his career.
A player of his calibre doesn’t emerge from an academy every day and it is paramount that Liverpool do not try to force the issue and let the player make his decision with more consideration.
