Arne Slot breaks silence on Trent Alexander-Arnold nearing Liverpool exit to join Real Madrid

Arne Slot has delivered his verdict on reports that Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer.

Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool contract is due to expire at the end of the season, and it was revealed during the international break that he is closing in on reaching an agreement to leave his boyhood club to move to the Spanish capital.

Slot has now reacted to the news ahead of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby against Everton, with Liverpool looking to bounce back from successive losses to PSG and Newcastle. 

Speaking on Alexander-Arnold, Slot said: ‘His situation is unfortunately that he is injured. For him, that means he is fully focused on his recovery. We’re trying to help him to come back. We’ve never been focused on those talks.’

Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also nearing the end of their own deals, but Slot refused to criticise any of his star trio who are all facing uncertain futures.

Asked whether he was worried that Alexander-Arnold could leave in a matter of weeks, Slot replied: ‘No. It’s a situation that is there for eight or nine months now and I think that all these players have performed so well for us.’

Alexander-Arnold is expected to leave his boyhood club to move to Madrid on a free transfer

Slot insists he is not concerned about Alexander-Arnold potentially leaving this summer

Slot did not reveal when Alexander-Arnold could return from his injury setback after the right back missed Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final defeat due to the fitness issue he picked up against PSG. 

Liverpool have just nine games left this season, and have a 12-point cushion at the top of the table despite their blip before the international break.

Slot believes his players will have benefitted from the break since losing at Wembley, and backed his team to deliver a strong performance against their arch-rivals on Wednesday night. 

‘We are so looking forward to these nine games,’ Slot said. ‘Our players are refreshed. It’s not all negative. 

‘We played a final and we got beaten to a very good PSG team. I was proud of our performance against PSG. Maybe the best performance this season but unfortunately we lost on penalties.

‘In the final stages of the season, every game matters. Nine finals, but it is for every team. 

‘These games are very important for us, starting with Everton. Not only because it’s the derby but because we’re in such a great position as well.’

More to follow…