Future of Trent Alexander-Arnold: Liverpool manager Arne Slot addresses rumours of a Real Madrid transfer

In light of rumours that Trent Alexander-Arnold would join Real Madrid at the end of the current campaign, Liverpool manager Arne Slot claims that "the outside world does not know what is going to happen" about his future.

 The international break was dominated by rumours that Alexander-Arnold will agree to move to Spain on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer, despite the fact that he is injured and won't be back for a few weeks.

Slot claims that despite Alexander-Arnold's contract expiration this summer, along with that of Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, the three Liverpool players have remained steadfast in their pursuit of the Premier League championship.

 Before Wednesday's game against Everton, the Liverpool manager said Sky Sports News, "There has been no change at all in his behaviour or the way we look at things."

"There has been absolutely no change.  No, neither for me nor for us.  It's been maybe eight or nine months since I started working with these three guys, and nothing has changed.  The outer world has no idea what will occur.

"There is a lot of talk about [Trent], just as there is about Virgil and Mo," Slot continued.

"However, the fact that so many players worldwide have contracts that expire in the summer and no one discusses them further demonstrates what a great player he is.

 However, a lot of [people] are discussing these athletes just because they are so talented.  However, we don't discuss that in the building."

When questioned about Alexander-Arnold at the beginning of his press conference prior to the Merseyside derby, Slot was equally circumspect.

 "The fact is that he is hurt.  "He's totally focused on getting better," Slot stated.

 "Those discussions have never been our main focus.  Winning the Merseyside derby is Mo and Virg's main priority.  Being fit as soon as possible is Trent's top priority.

 Slot responded, "No, it is a situation that has existed for eight months and all these three players have performed so well under these circumstances," when asked if the reports had an impact on him.  I am completely unaffected by it.