Liverpool supporters could be forgiven for feeling a little left in limbo during the early stages of this season.
While results on the pitch have been remarkably good under Arne Slot, there has also been a dark cloud gathering since the summer.
The Reds still do not know whether they will be able to count on the star trio of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah beyond this term.
There had seemingly been some positive steps forward on Van Dijk’s new deal last week but we are still awaiting any concrete update.
Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold continues to be linked with Real Madrid.
The right-back is comfortably Liverpool’s highest-value asset of the three and as Reds fans search for clues as to which way his future will go, journalist Graeme Bailey has shared what to look out for.
Not just Real Madrid in for Trent Alexander-Arnold
So far, it has felt like it is either a case of staying at Liverpool or joining Real Madrid for Alexander-Arnold.
The presence of Trent’s good friend Jude Bellingham at the Santiago Bernabeu has always seemed to be a potentially deciding factor.
However, speaking exclusively to Rousing The Kop, Bailey says that the European champions are not the only club keeping a watch over the Liverpool academy graduate’s situation.
“Liverpool are still hopeful that he’ll sign and that’s the message coming from the club,” says the journalist, promisingly. “From what I’m told he hasn’t triggered talks with other clubs yet, that is true.
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“I’m told that if Trent does indicate that he’s ready to go, it isn’t as simple as to say he’s going to go to Real Madrid. Clearly they have an interest but there will be other teams in there. I’m told that Barcelona would be in for him, PSG, Bayern Munich as well.
“I think that’s when we’ll get an indication that Trent is definitely leaving,” Bailey suggests.
“If we see the likes of Barca, Bayern and PSG starting to have a real sniff around him, then I think that will be a clear indication to us, if we don’t already have it, that he’s looking to move on.”
What is likely to happen with Alexander-Arnold?
For the most part up until now, Liverpool fans have only really had to contend with interest from Real in Alexander-Arnold.
It now looks like supporters will be hoping it stays that way.
If we start to see reports that Barca, PSG or Bayern are ramping up their efforts to convince him to sign for them, Trent may be as good as gone.
For now, it still sounds like Alexander-Arnold is prioritising staying at Liverpool. But there’s only so long that can go on.
It still feels likely that the Scouser will continue with his boyhood club, but his options to walk away appear to be getting ever longer.
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