Liverpool boss Arne Slot has addressed speculation surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s potential departure this summer.
According to reports the England right-back has already reached an agreement to join Real Madrid, reuniting with fellow countryman Jude Bellingham. The shocking twist? He’ll be leaving his boyhood club on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Ahead of the highly anticipated Merseyside derby on Wednesday, Slot confirmed that Alexander-Arnold would be absent from the squad but refused to discuss any transfer rumors. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he explained, “Unfortunately, Trent is sidelined with an injury. Otherwise, I’m sure there would be talk of his brilliant performances for England. Right now, his focus is solely on recovery, and our job is to support him in getting back to full fitness as soon as possible.”
The Dutch manager acknowledged the ongoing chatter surrounding key players like Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah but emphasized that Liverpool remains unfazed. “For the past eight months, there’s been constant speculation about these three, but we’ve never let it distract us. Our priority remains the same—winning games. For Virgil and Mo, that means preparing for the derby, and for Trent, it’s about regaining his fitness.
Slot dismissed concerns that the uncertainty could impact team morale. “Despite all the noise, these players have continued to perform exceptionally well under challenging circumstances. It doesn’t affect me at all.”
He also addressed Liverpool’s recent setbacks, including defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle. While some questioned the team’s form, Slot remained level-headed. “I always try to stay rational. The loss in the final frustrated me the most because, for the first time, I felt we genuinely deserved to lose.”
As speculation continues to swirl, one thing remains clear—Liverpool’s focus is firmly on the pitch, and Slot isn’t letting the rumors disrupt their mission.
