Liverpool supporters will be delighted that Arne Slot has finally made moves in the summer transfer window.
Federico Chiesa has joined Liverpool from Juventus, while Giorgi Mamardashvili has arrived from Valencia, although he will link up with Slot next summer.
Slot clearly has a strong idea of his ideal squad, and that will undoubtedly include the current star men at Anfield.
Worryingly, however, a handful of his key players are running down their contracts, with Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold potentially leaving for free next summer.
Keeping all three beyond next summer should be a priority, but there is perhaps a danger of Alexander-Arnold moving on before then.
Stan Collymore shares Trent Alexander-Arnold verdict amid Real Madrid interest
Real Madrid want Alexander-Arnold, with the player adding fuel to the fire about a potential exit when he reacted angrily to being substituted against Brentford.
Former Liverpool player Stan Collymore has now weighed in on the current situation with Alexander-Arnold, writing for CaughtOffside: “I’d be really disappointed if the thought had even crossed Trent’s mind that if he starts to be a bit of a mardy arse, he’ll get a move to Real Madrid. That would lower his stock significantly, because fans generally aren’t fans of people that want out of a club that is their club.
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“I remember Steve McManaman’s own move to Madrid, and his reputation at Liverpool never really recovered. I think there’s always a little bit of holding your nose in Liverpool where he’s concerned, and I think that it would be an awful look for Trent.
“His attitude after being subbed was probably a case of professional pride in not wanting to come off the pitch, as well as thinking (about Arne Slot) ‘who does this guy think he is.’
“Slot knows he’s on camera, and just said ‘I’ve subbed you off to give you a bit of a rest, it’s a long old season.’ No big deal.
“I like that and the way that Slot’s going about his business. The style of play is to keep a little bit more possession, let’s not be as gung ho, but still at times having those kind of bursts we saw with [Diogo] Jota, [Luis] Diaz and Salah.”
Will Trent Alexander-Arnold be tempted to leave Liverpool?
The 25-year-old has been one of Liverpool’s best players in recent years, and indeed one of the best right-backs in world football, with Dean Saunders labelling Trent Alexander-Arnold ‘world-class’.
Reacting angrily to being substituted is a normal situation to be in, with the defender clearly wanting to play as much football as possible.
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But Alexander-Arnold does need to appreciate that there is a long season ahead, and that he is undoubtedly the club’s number one choice at right-back.
Collymore is, however, aware that an exit is entirely possible for the academy graduate, who he has now pleaded with to stay.
“I know Trent won’t listen to me, but please, please, please, you are the Scouser in the team, you are the totem for the club,” said Collymore.
“A lot of people, young Liverpool fans, look up to you as somebody that drives them forward. You’re needed for the marathon not the sprint.”
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