Liverpool have often looked to the January transfer market in order to bolster their squad mid-season.
The Reds are always one of the more cautious Premier League sides in terms of making additions but have seen the benefit of winter signings in the past.
Players such as Philippe Coutinho, Luis Suarez and Virgil van Dijk have been added to the Liverpool squad in January’s gone by and there’s always a chance that business will be done.
On the flip-side, Liverpool have lost important players in the New Year as well. Coutinho left in 2018, while Fernando Torres did the same in 2011.
This time, the Reds could have some important decisions to make if offers arrive for any of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah or Van Dijk.
And according to former Liverpool full-back Steve Nicol, if Real Madrid come calling for Alexander-Arnold early in 2025, Arne Slot should not even think about it.
Steve Nicol urges Trent Alexander-Arnold sale
Obviously, there is still a chance that Liverpool will have signed any or all of Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Van Dijk to new deals by the time January comes around.
Reds supporters will be hoping that that is the case and any transfer rumours in the New Year can instantly be headed off.
There was some ‘massively encouraging’ news for Liverpool in that regard on Thursday, but as things stand all three players are free to talk to other clubs from January.
This appears to be a much bigger worry for Trent than either Salah or Van Dijk. After they saw Dani Carvajal go down with a season-ending injury at the weekend, it now feels more likely that Real Madrid will push harder for Alexander-Arnold.
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And according to Liverpool legend Nicol, if Madrid feel they need to make a move to sign the 26-year-old as soon as possible, then the Reds should be willing to accept a good proposal.
“I think they would want to keep him, but you need some understanding of where you think Trent is,” Nicol told ESPN.
“Because if you think Trent’s going to go and Real Madrid become desperate and give Liverpool a daft offer then they should probably take it.”
Steve Nicol expecting Trent Alexander-Arnold exit
Explaining his thinking behind his assertion further, Nicol said that it’s his opinion that Alexander-Arnold has decided to leave Liverpool.
As a result, rather than simply keeping him around for the rest of the season, the Reds should make a business decision to let him go if there’s money on the table from Madrid.
“You’re not telling me right now that Liverpool don’t have an understanding of whether he wants a contract or whether he wants to walk. And I would suggest that he’s going to walk,” said the 62-year-old.
“So, if they give you a good offer in January, I think you take it.”
There is definitely logic to Nicol’s opinion, however it has been reported that there is ‘no chance’ Liverpool will sell Alexander-Arnold in January. So, any mid-season exit would still be a big surprise.
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