Arne Slot has returned her verdict on information that Trent Alexander-Arnold should join Real Madrid during a free transfer this summer.
Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool contract should expire at the end of the season, and it was revealed during the international break that he closes on the conclusion of an agreement to leave his childhood club to move to the Spanish capital.
Slot has now reacted to the news before the Merseyside derby on Wednesday against Everton, Liverpool seeking to bounce back after successive losses at PSG and Newcastle.
Speaking on Alexander-Arnold, Slot said: “His situation is unfortunately that he is injured. For him, it means that he is fully focusing on his recovery. We try to help him come back. We have never focused on these discussions.
Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk also approach the end of their own agreements, but Slot refused to criticize one of his star trio who are all confronted with an uncertain future.
When asked if he feared that Alexander-Arnold could leave in a few weeks, Slot replied: “No. This is a situation that has been there for eight or nine months now and I think all these players have performed so well for us.
Arne Slot spoke of Trent Alexander-Arnold ending to join Real Madrid
Alexander-Arnold should leave his childhood club to move to Madrid during a free transfer
Slot did not reveal when Alexander-Arnold could come back from his injury back after the right back failed the final defeat of the Carabao Cup of Liverpool due to the fitness problem he took against PSG.
Alexander-Arnold will certainly not be against Everton, but Slot had more positive news on three other Liverpool players who could be in the running to play.
Ryan Gravenberch withdrew from the international service with the Netherlands due to an injury, while Alisson returned to the United Kingdom early after taking a hit during the victory of Brazil against Colombia.
Conor Bradley has also been absent in recent weeks with his own fitness problem, but Slot has confirmed that he was approaching a return.
“Ryan Gravenberch is fine,” said Slot. “Alisson also trained with us. The final control will be later.
“Conor Bradley is back with us, but he had only a few sessions after being absent for a while, so we have to make an intelligent decision.”
Liverpool has managed nine games this season and a 12 -point cushion at the top of the table despite their Blip before the international break.
Slot thinks that his players will have benefited from the break since the loss of Wembley and supported his team to offer a strong performance against their arc rivals on Wednesday evening.
Ryan Gravenberch is available to play against Everton Wednesday evening
Slot should make a late call on the availability of Conor Bradley after its injury launching
“We look forward to these nine games so much,” added Slot. “Our players are refreshed. It’s not all negative.
“We played a final and we were beaten in a very good PSG team. I was proud of our performance against PSG. Perhaps the best performance this season, but unfortunately, we have lost penalties.
“In the last stages of the season, each match counts. Nine finals, but it’s for each team.
“These games are very important for us, starting with Everton. Not only because it is the derby, but because we are also in such a great position.