Alexander-Arnold unperturbed by transfer noise, Liverpool boss Slot says

The 26-year-old England right-back has been linked with a move to Spanish giant Real Madrid with his Liverpool contract running out at the end of the season

Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park on October 05, 2024, in London, England. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold is not disturbed by the growing speculation around his future at the Premier League club and is fully focused on matters on the pitch, head coach Arne Slot said.

The 26-year-old England right-back has been linked with a move to Spanish giant Real Madrid with his Liverpool contract running out at the end of the season. Alexander-Arnold last month said his contract situation will not be played out in public.

Having come through the ranks at Anfield and captaining the club across its youth levels, Alexander-Arnold has won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and the Club World Cup among other major honours since making his senior debut for Liverpool in 2016.

Captain Virgil van Dijk and winger Mohamed Salah are also out of contract at the end of the campaign.

“I think you underestimate our players. These players are used to being linked with all the top clubs on a daily basis, if they have contracts or not,” Slot told reporters ahead of Sunday’s Premier League home clash against Chelsea.

“If you think they’re disturbed by this interest then you don’t do justice to how strong they are mentally. This is part of our job. This is part of this world we are living in. You just focus on what you have to do.

“Maybe if you’re 17 or 18 years of age it could be difficult for you. But Trent has won the league, has won the Champions League; Virgil and Mo the same. I don’t think that is a problem for them to perform and that’s what we see at the moment because they’re playing really well.”

Liverpool, which tops the Premier League table with 18 points from seven matches, suffered a blow with first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker facing a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

Slot said he expects the 32-year-old Brazil international to return before Christmas.

“But you never know. It is always difficult to know how an injury will go in the first stages, so we can answer that question better in two or three weeks’ time,” the Dutchman added.