The Reds have the chance to further United’s misery and put more space between themselves and their 14-placed rivals.
But as Arne Slot took his seat for Friday’s pre-match press conference, the Liverpool head coach was barely asked about the game at hand. Instead, talk of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s proposed move to Real Madrid dominated proceedings.
With reports that Real are planning an official bid for Alexander-Arnold, it was always going to be the case that Slot was asked more than once about the future of his right-back.
The Dutch coach was even given the chance to categorically deny that Alexander-Arnold will be leaving Liverpool in January, one which he surprisingly passed up.
The man who put that question to Slot was journalist David Lynch. And taking to his YouTube channel once the press conference had ended, Lynch said he’d been given an immediate update on Slot’s comments by Liverpool insiders.
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot (L) speaks with Liverpool's English defender #66 Trent Alexander-Arnold (R) after he leaves the game injured, d...
Arne Slot gets Trent Alexander-Arnold clarification
It was almost a little shocking to hear Slot dodge the question when asked if he could rule out a mid-season exit for Alexander-Arnold.
Up until that point the party line has been that Liverpool are still hopeful of keeping Trent. But Slot’s reticence to answer the straight question perhaps threw that into doubt.
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According to Lynch, though, inside sources at Liverpool quickly moved to say what their head coach did not.
“I thought Slot’s answer was pretty interesting actually,” said the reporter while reflecting on his question.
“He really reiterated that Trent is committed and said that he will be in the team on Sunday, but kind of leaving the door open for a departure in January.”
“It’s interesting that since that I’ve had conversations with Liverpool sources who have told me quite categorically really that Trent will not be sold in January.
“So, that is very much my understanding that Liverpool will not entertain any offers from Real Madrid that come over the remainder of this month. They are committed regardless of what happens with his contract, to keeping Trent between now and the end of the season.”
“But it wasn’t definitive from Slot,” Lynch adds. “I think if it was Jurgen Klopp previously in a similar situation we probably would have seen him come out and knock down any suggestion that Trent would go. He had the power maybe to do that.
“Slot hasn’t quite earned that at Liverpool yet. But Liverpool sources are very much adamant that Trent won’t be going anywhere in January.”
Liverpool confident of keeping Trent
Whatever Slot had said in Friday’s press conference was always likely to get some kind of response.
However, Liverpool fans would likely have felt more confident that their No.66 is not going anywhere if the boss had been a little more firm here.
Nevertheless, at the end of the day, whether Alexander-Arnold stays or not ultimately has little to do with Slot.
Alexander-Arnold is a fan of Slot but the decision to stay at Liverpool or leave for Madrid will be solely his to take.
At least it sounds like we can count on Trent for the rest of the season. Beyond that, though, it’s still anyone’s guess.
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