Will Trent Alexander-Arnold stay at Liverpool or join Real Madrid? Arne Slot’s big decision

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Out of contract in 2025 

Trent Alexander-Arnold dominated the column inches as England unconvincingly topped their group at Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate deployed the 26-year-old in midfield but the experiment wasn’t successful as he was benched for Conor Gallagher, then Kobbie Mainoo. 

Alexander-Arnold displayed nerves of steel to dispatch the winning penalty in the quarter-final shootout win over Switzerland but he was left rooted to the bench for England’s final two games. The Liverpool star, however, will return to the limelight in the coming weeks given his contract status at his boyhood club. Alexander-Arnold has entered the last 12 months of his deal and he’d be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from January. It seems unthinkable that the academy graduate could depart Liverpool but sorting his future will be one of Arne Slot’s priorities this summer. 

Could Trent Alexander-Arnold leave Liverpool this summer? 

It remains unlikely that Alexander-Arnold could depart Anfield given his affection for his boyhood club. The right-back has made no secret of his ambition to captain Liverpool and he’s currently second in command to Virgil Van Djik – the Netherlands captain’s contract also expires next summer. It’s understood that talks between Alexander-Arnold’s representatives and the Anfield hierarchy were shelved over the summer due to his participation at the Euros but it will be a priority for new sporting director Richard Hughes once the England star returns for pre-season. Alexander-Arnold has remained relatively tight-lipped on his future but he hinted in an interview last month that he was looking to build on Liverpool’s improvements ‘next season’.

Which clubs could look to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold?

Alexander-Arnold’s potential availability on a free transfer would alert the biggest clubs in European football, given his ability and age. At just 25, Alexander-Arnold will be entering his prime across the next few years and he’s currently the most valuable right-back in the world at €70 million. If Liverpool can’t tie down Alexander-Arnold on a new contract this summer then they’d face a major decision whether to cash in to avoid potentially losing him on a free.

Real Madrid appears his most realistic destination if he decides to embark on a new challenge. The Spanish giants were strongly linked with retaining an interest in the Liverpool start last season and those reports have re-emerged this week. Madrid have noticeably targeted players with expiring contracts recently. Madrid, most notably, signed Kylian Mbappé on a free transfer this summer but they acquired Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba in previous windows. Carlo Ancelotti’s men also want to sign Leny Yoro and Alphonso Davies next summer with both players in the last year of their respective contracts. Although a move to Manchester City would appear unrealistic due to Alexander-Arnold’s affection for Liverpool, Pep Guardiola is a known admirer and the England star’s ability to invert and play centrally would hold huge appeal to the Spaniard. 

Will Trent Alexander-Arnold fit Arne Slot’s philosophy? 

It will be fascinating how Arne Slot uses Alexander-Arnold next season. The former Feyenoord boss faces the daunting task of replacing Jurgen Klopp but the 45-year-old is an exciting manager with very clear principles, which bear similarities to his predecessor. Slot’s preferred formation is a 4-3-3 and he provides freedom to his players in possession, while maintaining strict positional instructions out of possession to implement his pressing style. There was significant clamour for Alexander-Arnold to play in midfield last season but this stemmed from Klopp allowing him to invert or move him centrally as games progressed – he didn’t start a single game in midfield for Liverpool last season, according to Transfermarkt data. But how does Slot utilise his full-backs and how does he want them to play? Our Dutch football expert Kevin Lux provided the lowdown. 

“Slot is known for admiring managers like Pep Guardiola, Marcelo Bielsa and Roberto De Zerbi, trying to implement such a playing style at his teams as well,” Lux said. “He wants his defenders to play short passes to the two sixes in the midfield -in Feyenoord case Mats Wieffer and Quentin Timber – , who then try to find room at the wings. The full-backs are therefore crucial in his playing style. They have to run up and down the pitch, being involved in attacks as well as defence. Lutsharel Geertruida played mainly as right back last season, while Quillindschy Hartman was the first choice on the left side, until his season ending injury. Hartman was more suited for the job then Geertruida was, so I find it hard to compare the situation to TAA. Maybe he is about to move to one of the defending midfield positions in Slot’s tactics? Or will he be able to run up and down?” Alexander-Arnold is arguably the best attacking right-back in the world and Slot is likely to tailor his demands around his skillset but Liverpool need to tie down their future captain on a new deal, sooner rather than later.”