Liverpool legend predicts Alexander-Arnold transfer as Slot told to prioritize Van Dijk extension

Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson believes Trent Alexander-Arnold will join Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid as a free agent next summer.

Alexander-Arnold’s contract expires at the end of the 2024/25 season and there appear to be no negotiations over a new contract.

This is quite surprising considering how important he is to Arne Slot’s side and that he has an academy degree.

Liverpool They are also very calm about the future of club captain Virgil van Dijk and star striker Mohamed Salah, who can both negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs from January 1st.

“If Trent wanted to stay at Liverpool he would have signed a new contract by now”

Uncertainty over Alexander-Arnold’s future is worrying Liverpool fans and club icon Lawrenson has predicted a move to Real Madrid.

“I think he will go to Real Madrid,” he said. “If he wanted to stay, he would have completed the deal by now.

“He will earn a lot of money now, but he could earn even more at the Bernabeu. His bank manager would be happy. I understand it too.

“It would be a real thrill to compete with the best players in the world. Also from a cultural perspective.

“He’s an educated boy, he’s a smart boy, he comes from a good family in Liverpool. Spain would be something new and exciting.”

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Lawrenson added: “I think Trent Alexander-Arnold is definitely one of the best Premier League right-backs of all time when he is at his best.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better right-back when it comes to delivering the ball to the players. He’s probably not one of the best defenders in the world, but that doesn’t matter because he only sees passes that other players can’t – that ball into Mohamed Salah in the first game of the season against Ipswich was incredible.

“However, I don’t think Trent will be at the club at the start of next season – I can imagine he will be attracted to playing at Real Madrid. He has an England teammate there in Jude Bellingham and I can see him playing for them next season.

“If you really wanted to stay at Liverpool, wouldn’t you have signed your contract by now?

“I think that applies to all three Liverpool players whose contracts expire next summer – Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah too. You just wait and see what happens, but for me Trent probably wants to play and play somewhere on the continent. I don’t think he will turn down the chance to play for Real Madrid.

“If I had to prioritize one Liverpool player that I would give a contract to, it would be Virgil van Dijk – the captain. He is a top player, runs the locker room and is very popular. I think Mo Salah will wait until New Year before deciding what he will do. ”

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