Liverpool has no choice over next action as Real Madrid make Trent Alexander-Arnold decision

Liverpool must move to re-sign captain Virgil van Dijk and talisman Mohamed Salah to new contracts as Real Madrid push for Trent Alexander-Arnold .

Alexander-Arnold has emerged as a key target of the reigning Champions League winners. The England international is currently within the final few months of his deal at Anfield with head coach Arne Slot facing a similar problem when it comes to Van Dijk and Salah.

According to The Athletic, Alexander-Arnold is the leading name atop a list that includes Tottenham star Pedro Porro, Bayer Leverkusen ace Jeremie Frimpong, and Sevilla's 21-year-old Spain youth international Juanlu. Dani Carvajal suffered a recent season-ending ACL injury – while his own contract expires in 2026 – so Los Blancos are looking to bring in recruits to the position.

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Alexander-Arnold remains in talks with Liverpool , but it appears he could be edging closer to a move to Madrid . At the start of the month, Relevo reported that contact was made between the La Liga giants and the representatives of the Liverpool star.

If Real Madrid swoop for Alexander-Arnold either in January or at the end of the season when he is a free agent, Liverpool will lose one of their best and most prominent players. As a result, the Reds must retain both Van Dijk and Salah.

Liverpool are reportedly “calm and confident” they can retain two of the star trio as their contracts wind down. Talks between the club and Van Dijk will go down over the next few weeks, while Salah is expected to run his deal down and leave as a free agent.

However, Salah has four goals and four assists in seven Premier League games this season, which highlights how effective the Egyptian remains. While Slot is overseeing the start of his own tenure following the Jurgen Klopp era, losing two of Liverpool’s biggest and best players after his first season would undoubtedly be a blow.

Liverpool ultimately remain hopeful they can retain the services of Alexander-Arnold. Back in September, the former Premier League and Champions League winner addressed his future by making it clear he wants silverware.

“The most important thing is trophies if I’m honest,” Alexander-Arnold said. “I want to win trophies. I’m a player who’s highly motivated by trophies and winning things, and being elite.

“That’s probably the main factor of anything. If you’ve got a personality that is an elite athlete that wants to win and will do anything to win, then that’s what drives them. I’ve been at the club 20 years now. I’ve signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public and this one won’t be either.”