'Word is': What's now most likely to happen with Alexander-Arnold after claims he wants to leave - journalist
12/29/2024 04:00 AM
Liverpool are just days away from the prospect of three of their superstar players being able to freely negotiate with other clubs.
Along with the Reds’ stunning revival under Arne Slot, the trio of rapidly expiring contracts has been the story of the season this term.
But while there is still real hope that Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah will sign on to extend their respective stays at Anfield, things are looking bleaker regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold.
This weekend, reports from Spain claimed that the Liverpool right-back has decided he wants to leave his boyhood club and join Real Madrid.
Although Liverpool say Alexander-Arnold has not told them he is leaving, the signs are not looking good for Reds supporters.
As worry begins to ramp up that they are set to lose one of their own for nothing, journalist Mark Ogden has weighed in to provide his information on the situation.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has one foot out the door
Things really should have been sorted at Liverpool by now. It is inconceivable that the club have allowed themselves to get to 2025 without any of these three key players tied down.
Nevertheless, that is where we are. And with the rumours around Alexander-Arnold getting out of control, something has to give soon.
Speaking to ESPN FC on Sunday morning, Ogden says that according to what he’s been told, the Liverpool academy graduate is now more likely to leave than stay.
“The word is that Trent is more likely to go than stay, I think that’s become accepted now,” he says. “But there might be a surprise.”
“I think the stuff in Marca is fairly typical. It’s done with the authority of the club itself, so Real’s interest is strong.
“Alexander-Arnold hasn’t made any inclination that he wants to stay.”
Could Alexander-Arnold leave in January?
It is rare that a player in the profile of Alexander-Arnold will go this deep towards the end of his contract and still sign a new one.
Given the stage of their careers, the situations of both Van Dijk and Salah are a little different. But with Trent, it seems likely that the lack of commitment to a new deal by now says it all.
As a result, there will be segments of the fanbase who would rather cut their losses and get him out of the door in January. But according to Ogden, that is not going to happen.
“I’d be surprised if Alexander-Arnold stays,” he says.
“I don’t think he’s going to go anywhere this month, I think it’ll be a case of running his contract down and going to Madrid in the summer.”
