Liverpool transfer news as Trent Alexander-Arnold finds reason to reject Real Madrid

Liverpool has made a superb start to the season under new head coach Arne Slot .

The Reds have won six of their seven Premier League games to move one point clear of Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the table. They're also doing well in the Champions League, having beaten AC Milan and Bologna in their opening two matches.

Yet it's a long season, with the January transfer window just two-and-a-half months away. Liverpool only signed two senior players during the summer in Federico Chiesa and Giorgi Mamardashvili, although the latter is completing a season-long loan at Valencia.

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That could encourage the Reds to dip back into the transfer market in January. With that in mind, here are the latest rumors from Merseyside...

Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)

Real Madrid is considering a move for Jeremie Frimpong next month, according to Sky Sports in Germany . That's good news for Liverpool fans, as Madrid is unlikely to swoop for Trent Alexander-Arnold if it signs another right-back in Frimpong, 23.

Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of the season and is being linked with a move to Madrid. Although it's still unclear whether the England international will sign a new deal with Liverpool, it seems unlikely both he and Frimpong will head to Madrid.

Frimpong is believed to have a €40 million ($43.6 million) release clause in his contract, allowing Madrid to swoop next summer. He's not expected to leave Bayer Leverkusen in January.

Speaking about his contract saga last month, Alexander-Arnold said: "I want to be a Liverpool player this season (as a minimum) is what I will say. I have been at the club 20 years now. I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public - and this one won't be either."

Alvaro Carreras (Benfica)

Liverpool is interested in signing Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras, according to reports in Portugal (relayed by Paisley Gates ). It's claimed Benfica wants €50 million ($54.6 million) for the 21-year-old, and Liverpool is willing to pay that transfer fee.

Carreras started his career with Manchester United after spells in various academies, including Real Madrid's. He never made a senior appearance for United and spent time on loan at Preston, Granada, and Benfica before completing a permanent transfer to the latter team in May. Carreras has been capped by Spain at youth level.