Trent Alexander-Arnold's future at Liverpool looks increasingly up in the air as his contract situation continues to drag on. With Real Madrid's stance having become clearer in recent days, it's worth taking a look at what the vice-captain has said .
According to The Athletic , the Spanish giant has made Alexander-Arnold a "priority" target. However, it has also compiled a list of alternatives, and recognizes that a deal for the Liverpool star will only be possible if he declines to extend his Anfield contract.
That all-important deal runs out in the summer, along with those of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk . But it's losing Alexander-Arnold, at the age of just 26, which would be the true sucker punch.
After all, the Academy graduate has looked destined to one day become captain, following in the path of Steven Gerrard and ultimately ending his career as one of the very greatest figures in the club's storied history. It's a trajectory he himself has spoken about.
Trent Alexander-Arnold on Liverpool ambitions
“I have always said I want to captain the club," Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports when asked about his future last month. "That is a goal of mine, whether that happens is out of my hands."
The sentence that came next was perhaps a little more worrying, depending on your interpretation. "I want to be a Liverpool player this season [as a minimum] is what I will say."
Dreams of the captaincy are long-held. Back in 2019, he told Sky Sports ( via the Mail ) as much:
"I am fortunate to have the people around me who understand the balance between letting me get comfortable, praising me too much and feeding that hunger that needs to be there. In terms of wanting to strive to be better, wanting to be one of the best players in the world, the best right back in the world, being the first name on the team-sheet, wanting to be Liverpool captain, wanting to be England captain."
In December 2020, Alexander-Arnold was handed the armband for a Champions League meeting with Midtjylland. He described that experience as "special" . And when he was named vice-captain last summer, he hailed it a "stepping stone" to the permanent captain's position.
As well as the captaincy, Alexander-Arnold has previously outlined ambitions to be a one-club man. In 2018, not long after his breakthrough, he said as much to The Times :
“There is nowhere else I’d rather be than Liverpool. Somewhere I want to stay for the rest of my career is Liverpool. It’s what I’ve always dreamed of. Liverpool are special. It’s completely down to the fans. Whether we are winning or losing we always have their love.”
Alexander-Arnold on trophies
"The most important thing is always trophies if I am honest," said Alexander-Arnold when asked last month what will influence his decision over whether or not to stay at Liverpool. It's possibly the most candid he has been over his future.
"I want to win trophies, I am a player who is highly motivated by trophies and winning things and being elite. So that is probably the main factor of anything, if you have a personality that is elite, who wants to win and will do anything to win then that is what drives me."
It was a message that Alexander-Arnold reiterated over the course of the most recent international break. Recognizing the success he has had at Liverpool, he stressed that he needs more:
"I've entered the prime of my career," he told ITV, via The Athletic . "I don’t want to be the player who only won trophies when he was young."
Alexander-Arnold on Real Madrid
Alexander-Arnold has not said much publicly about Real Madrid. Word out of the club is that he was always determined that the contract saga would not play out in public, given his huge respect for Liverpool.
However, he has spoken about his relationship with Jude Bellingham , undoubtedly a worry for Liverpool fans — barely a year on from hopes that Alexander-Arnold could sway the midfielder toward an Anfield switch. The two have grown very close.
In April, The Overlap (brought to you by Sky Bet ) asked Alexander-Arnold about his best friends in footaball. "I would say club, Robbo, internationals probably Jude," he replied.
However, going much further back, Alexander-Arnold expressed a preference for Barcelona over Real Madrid. “I'd say my favourite other team would be Barca,” he told GQ in 2020.
"I feel as though they've got kind of the same values and beliefs as Liverpool, they like to bring players through the academy. I grew up watching Messi and that special Barcelona team, with Iniesta, Xavi, Henry, Eto'o."
Liverpool.com says: Obviously, the money will play a part. But from everything Alexander-Arnold has said, what Liverpool really needs to do is convince the defender that he can win lots more trophies at Anfield.
It's clear that he would think very carefully before leaving. For years, his consistently-stated goal has been to become club captain.
Hopefully, the bright start under Arne Slot has been noted, and Alexander-Arnold can be persauded to stay and achieve his lofty ambitions at Liverpool. But time is ticking.
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