Trent Alexander-Arnold: New Liverpool contract, transfer rumours, and Arne Slot
With less than a year to last on his current deal, and even less time before he’s eligible to speak to clubs outside England over a new deal, Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold and his contract situation with the club has somewhat put the fans in an anxious situation.
While the contracts of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also of utmost importance for the club, securing the future of Trent before anyone else, who is only 25 will make the most sense. Much younger than the other two, much more football left in him, future captaincy candidate and whatnot.
In the recent 3-0 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League, he celebrated his 100th goal involvement for the club in all competitions (19 goals, 81 assists). He’s the youngest player to reach that milestone for Liverpool since Steven Gerrard. Call that impact. Considering the fact that he is avoiding any media interaction, he spoke to The Athletic‘s [subscription required] James Pearce for EIGHT minutes and that’s a lot. Let’s highlight some of the more important parts of that conversation.
Contract
“Look, I have been at the club 20 years now. I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public. This one won’t be either.”
Basically, we will only know when he’s put pen to paper on that new deal. No discussion whatsoever. His links with Real Madrid, are frustrating, to say the least. You can’t even shift blame on the lad if he decides to move [hope he actually doesn’t]. 14 Champions League titles, winning the league on a regular basis, the opportunity to play alongside one of his best mates in Jude Bellingham, and with arguably the best footballer in the world at the moment in Kylian Mbappe is an opportunity that not a lot pass.
The much worrisome part about the whole contract fiasco, as Pearce rightly points out, is the fact that the right-back has NEVER entered the final deal of any of his previous deals on Merseyside. The change of scenery behind the signs is likely a huge reason why Trent might give himself more time over proceedings.
However, if there’s anything that we’d hope he’s learnt from his idol, we all know that he bleeds Liverpool the same way Steven Gerrard did. His commitment to handling his contract matters privately speaks volumes about his loyalty and respect for the club. Despite the swirling rumours, his focus remains firmly on his role at Liverpool and the goals he wishes to achieve with the team.
Captaincy
Alexander-Arnold has often spoken about his desire to become Liverpool’s captain and potentially spend his entire career at Anfield. As for that though, it’s not solely his call though, is it? Jordan Henderson’s departure from the club last season saw Virgil van Dijk take over the baton from him, and TAA got the vice-captaincy directly from the big man Jurgen Klopp during pre-season in Singapore.
“I have always said I want to captain the club. That is an aim of mine and a goal of mine, whether that happens is out of my hands, to be honest.”
His aspirations resonate with fans who see him not just as a player but as a future leader who embodies the spirit and values of the club.
Becoming the captain of Liverpool would be a significant achievement for Alexander-Arnold, who has risen through the club’s ranks since joining the academy at a young age. His journey from a local lad to a world-class player has been inspirational, and captaining the club full-time would be just fitting.
Alexander-Arnold’s ambition to captain Liverpool also reflects his desire to take on more responsibility and contribute to the club’s success in new ways. While his performances on the pitch have been stellar, taking on a leadership role would allow him to influence the team’s culture and dynamics further. His deep understanding of the club’s values and his connection with the fans make him an ideal candidate for the captaincy, and his desire to achieve this goal is somewhat of a proof of his long-term commitment to Liverpool. At the end of the day, he’s just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dreams came true!
Working under the new boss!
His initial days under Arne Slot have been exciting. Known for his tactical acumen and demanding nature, Slot has brought a fresh approach to Liverpool, something Trent seems to relish.
“We kind of talked about targets and aims, and I said to him that I would like to be the defender that no one wants to come up against in Europe,”
“Even in the Milan game, we had about 20 clips going through what I could have done better, and the good parts as well. It is really refreshing to have a manager who will help and guide and teach me how to be better as a player. I am someone who wants to learn, someone who wants to be the best and someone who strives to be the best ever.”
The major difference Trent will see is a sense of professionalism. This is not a jibe at Jurgen Klopp by any means. The ex-gaffer [hurts to say it] was more of a father figure for these lads than a football coach. Developing a relationship with his players, and getting the best out of them mentally is what the modern-day Bob Paisley focused on.
Arne, on the other hand, is more tactical. And much more ruthless also, by a few means. We saw how he made changes against Ipswich which Klopp would also make, but Slot’s timing of the substitution made the entire difference with the Reds dominating the Tractor Boys completely. The United and Milan games are further examples of total domination.
Trent, Salah and Virgil
These players have contributed immensely to Liverpool’s success over the years and continue to be central to the club’s ambitions. Ensuring they remain at Anfield will not only bolster the team’s performance but also send a strong message of stability and ambition. Liverpool must adopt: prioritising the retention of their core players while continuing to develop and integrate new talent. The relationship between TAA and Slot is a promising development, suggesting that the team is in good hands and on the right path.
Given Trent’s pivotal role at the club, securing his future should be a top priority for Liverpool. Alongside him, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also crucial to the team’s success. Ensuring these three players are committed long-term is essential for maintaining the club’s competitive edge. S
Salah, with his consistent goal-scoring prowess, has been indispensable. His ability to change the game in an instant makes him one of the most feared attackers in world football. Similarly, van Dijk’s leadership and defensive solidity are irreplaceable. His presence at the back not only strengthens the defence but also provides confidence to the entire team. Hopefully, they all stay at the club come next season and beyond. YNWA.
