Liverpool’s attention has centred around finding a replacement for Jurgen Klopp but Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future must also be addressed with his contract winding down

Liverpool’s focus is finding a replacement for Jurgen Klopp – but the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold is also high on their priority list.

The club’s attention has centred around what happens after the German departs at the end of the season.

He announced his exit publicly back in January, leaving the Merseyside club to source their next manager with Xabi Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi among the frontrunners.

Incoming sporting director Richard Hughes is also aware of the predicament Alexander-Arnold finds himself in with the hybrid right-back due to enter the final year of his deal come the summer. That is often a point at which clubs cash in or announce a new contract.

The Daily Mail reports that Real Madrid are keeping tabs on the situation as they consider their summer move. Several players in the past have swapped Anfield for the Bernabeu, with Steve McManaman and Michael Owen among the English stars to jet off to the Spanish capital.

Alexander-Arnold though has shown no desire to leave and as an academy product is even more tied to the club. He’s spent his entire Anfield career playing under Klopp so is set for a bit of a culture shift from next season.

The right-back is also keen to one day skipper the club he’s been associated with since he was a boy. He’s recently been handed the vice-captaincy and years ago spoke about his desire to eventually lead the Merseysiders.

“I want to become captain one day. That’s definitely a dream of mine,” he said. “I hope with dedication, the right advice and the hard work that still needs to be put in that one day I might achieve that dream of becoming captain, something that me and my family will be very proud of if it comes.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deal has less than 18 months to run (
Image:
PA)
Alexander-Arnold has often spoken out in defence of the club, their traditions and their methods. He recently divided opinion when he suggested Liverpool’s success meant more to their fans than Manchester City’s due to the financial dominance their rivals have enjoyed.

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He told FourFourTwo: “We’re up against a machine that’s built to win – that’s the simplest way to describe City and their organisation. Looking back on this era, although they’ve won more titles than us and have probably been more successful, our trophies will mean more to us and our fanbase because of the situations at both clubs, financially.”