Liverpool clearly have some big battles on their hands as 2025 gets underway.
The Reds’ main focus this year will be collecting their 20th league title in English football after putting themselves in a great position in the Premier League.
With Arsenal once again closing the gap to six points on Wednesday, nothing should be taken for granted in that respect.
Away from the usual on-pitch challenges for Liverpool, though, there is also plenty to fight for off it over the coming months.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are now free to negotiate exits from Anfield with potential suitors.
And although the Liverpool owners are still reportedly trying to keep all three players, Alexander-Arnold is subject to mounting interest from Real Madrid. Despite the Reds rejecting an early approach for their No.66, Real are not taking no for an answer.
Real Madrid weighing up fresh Trent Alexander-Arnold approach
Liverpool do not want to lose Alexander-Arnold and reports suggest that Trent is not keen on a January exit anyway.
Despite that, claims emerged on Wednesday night that Real Madrid are considering a second approach for Alexander-Arnold.
One outlet carrying the story is The Daily Mail, who report that the European champions are ‘willing to try again’ by making an official offer for Liverpool’s No.66.
Los Blancos are said to be prepared to pay around £20m in order to secure Alexander-Arnold’s arrival at the Bernabeu this month,.
READ MORE: Arne Slot already has five better choices to be Liverpool vice-captain than Trent Alexander-Arnold
Manager Carlo Ancelotti is claimed to be the driver behind the move, with the legendary coach pushing his club to ‘put the foot on the accelerator’ to get a deal done.
Currently without regular right-back Dani Carvajal for at least the rest of the season, Real and Ancelotti reportedly believe that the signing of Alexander-Arnold can propel them towards a La Liga and Champions League double this term.
Would Liverpool sign a replacement?
For the moment, it seems as though Liverpool will not budge on their stance regarding Alexander-Arnold leaving this winter.
However, The Mail do also claim that Real are ‘extremely confident’ of signing the Liverpool academy graduate either way.
As a result, Liverpool simply have to start looking at replacement right-backs.
Conor Bradley will believe he has a shot at being the new regular starter for the Reds if Trent does leave, but there are question marks over the 21-year-old’s fitness.
At the very least, Liverpool will need a new back-up or someone to jostle with Bradley for the position. If Trent pushes for a January exit, then that will have to come in the winter. Should Alexander-Arnold stay, we’d bring one in anyway, but we can’t see Liverpool making such a decision.
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