Trent Alexander-Arnold wants to emulate three former teammates who helped him at Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold wants to emulate three former teammates who helped him at Liverpool in what is a major hint he will commit his long-term future to the club.

The Reds right-back has been linked with a move away this summer after entering the final 12 months of his contract, with Real Madrid strongly mooted to be his next potential destination . With the reality that Liverpool could lose him for nothing next year, it became feared that Liverpool may have to succumb to selling the defender in the current transfer window.

However, Alexander-Arnold himself may have put to bed any speculation of him leaving Anfield this summer after admitting he wants to follow in the footsteps of three former players who helped him integrate into the first-team after he made his breakthrough in 2016.

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As a proud Liverpudlian, the local lad desires to be the captain of his hometown club. The 25-year-old was made vice-captain by Jurgen Klopp last summer following James Milner's departure and he appeared to thrive off that added responsibility - but now he wants to go all the way and wear the armband himself.

That's not just to fulfil a life-long dream, either, with Alexander-Arnold now seeing it as his duty to help bring through the next generation of stars at Anfield in the same way more experienced players did for him, the Liverpool ECHO reports. The right-back may still only be 25 himself, but an early breakthrough into the first-team means he's already got years of experience behind him.

Like Jordan Henderson , Adam Lallana and Milner did for him when he broke into senior fringes under Klopp eight years ago, Alexander-Arnold sees now as his opportunity to take on that same role. The likes of Stefan Bajcetic (19), Bobby Clark (19) and Ben Doak (18) have all made bright starts to their careers, but an arm round the shoulder would never go amiss.

This recent revelation perhaps hints at Alexander-Arnold future remaining at Anfield. Despite links to Real Madrid and doubts over his career beyond 2025, nothing has been confirmed by either of the three parties in terms of a move for the England international this summer.

However, it is hoped that it won't take much to convince the Scouser to put pen to paper on a new contract with the club. Slot had been keen to avoid piling any pressure onto his vice-captain until he has returned from his summer break following his Three Lions exploits at Euro 2024, but it's been reported that the two have already spoken .

The Echo claims that the pair have briefly outlined their respective plans for the summer, with Alexander-Arnold talked up his determination to hit the ground running upon his return to first-team training, after Slot felt the need to reach out as early as possible to see exactly where the academy graduate stands.

Until Alexander-Arnold links up with the rest of the squad for pre-season, however, it will continue to be a waiting game - both for Liverpool and its fans. However, if what the Echo has reported is true, it surely can't be long until the matter is resolved.