Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s contract state of affairs at Liverpool stays unresolved, and his newest feedback might be interpreted in quite a lot of methods, so ought to followers be involved?
The shadow hanging over the Reds’ first season below Arne Slot is the unsure futures of three key pillars in Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
All are free to speak to overseas golf equipment in lower than 100 days and even doubtlessly signal a pre-contract settlement if new phrases with Liverpool usually are not agreed by then.
This can be very unlikely that their futures shall be resolved by the tip of the 12 months, as all three have the best to solid judgement over Slot’s potential and look forward to the phrases that finest swimsuit them.
The state of affairs is a no brainer for the membership, however Alexander-Arnold’s latest feedback on the state of affairs after the win over Bournemouth have been interpreted a myriad of the way – so, is there purpose for concern?
The positives: Captaincy and Slot
“I need to be a Liverpool participant this season [as a minimum] is what I’ll say,” Alexander-Arnold informed reporters over the weekend on his future – an anticipated however not precisely dedicated response.
As Liverpool followers, we’ve been burned earlier than on the subject of key gamers deciding their future will not be at Anfield – and Alexander-Arnold doing the identical could be soul-destroying.
The 25-year-old has been with Liverpool because the age of six, rising up the ranks to finish his trophy set and maintain the title of vice-captain, these ties usually are not simply damaged.
He has spoken beforehand about his want to captain the membership, and if we’re on the lookout for positivity inside his latest feedback, then the reiteration of this ambition is considerably promising.
“I’ve at all times stated I need to captain the membership. That may be a objective of mine, whether or not that occurs is out of my palms,” the No. 66 stated.
“I’ve been on the membership 20 years now. I’ve signed 4 or 5 contract extensions and none of these have been performed out in public, and this one gained’t be both.”
It’s a basic case of subtly reminding supporters that he nonetheless sees a future at Anfield, all of the whereas giving the higher-ups on the membership an enormous nudge.
It’s a tactic we’ve already seen from Van Dijk and Salah, although it may be stated these two gave us a stronger indication that their intention and want is to remain on the membership.
One other factor to all of that is Slot. After taking part in his total senior profession below Jurgen Klopp, a brand new head coach adjustments what he has at all times identified, and hypothesis on their relationship has been rife.
After being disgruntled by an early substitution at first of the season, too many sought to create tales about one not liking the opposite, however Alexander-Arnold put that rapidly to mattress.
“It’s actually refreshing to have a supervisor who will assist and information and train me tips on how to be higher as a participant,” he stated of Slot.
“I’m somebody who needs to study, somebody who needs to be the perfect and somebody who strives to be the perfect ever.
“We type of talked about targets and goals, and I stated to him that I wish to be the defender that nobody needs to come back up in opposition to in Europe.
“We agreed that he shall be harsh on me. If any time an attacker will get by me and will get previous me he’ll name it out in conferences and particular person conferences and say this can not occur.
“We undergo each sport collectively and he highlights the place he needs me to enhance.”
They’re the phrases you need to hear from Alexander-Arnold, that he’s looking for that subsequent step and embracing the change – however whereas that could be a constructive, his phrases on ambition go above the Dutchman.
A message to match his ambitions
Whereas I don’t see any concern with the abovementioned feedback on the subject of whether or not Alexander-Arnold will prolong or not, his ambition statements had a distinct impact.
“A very powerful factor is at all times trophies if I’m trustworthy,” the Scouser stated on what’s going to show persuasive when he comes to a decision.
“I need to win trophies, I’m a participant who is very motivated by trophies and profitable issues and being elite.
“So that’s in all probability the primary issue of something, if in case you have a persona that’s elite, who needs to win and can do something to win then that’s what drives me.”
From an early age, Alexander-Arnold has been fiercely aggressive and he has large ambitions that Liverpool might want to present that they will help him dwell out.
The membership can not afford to face nonetheless, and his love for the membership is not going to blind him as to if success remains to be achievable at Anfield or if he has to seek out it elsewhere.
After all, elsewhere is probably going Actual Madrid, who should not have to flex their trophy haul however can remind him that they’ve gained 11 items of silverware since 2020 alone.
These feedback greater than the others might not be reassuring for the membership, however perhaps they don’t seem to be meant to be; Alexander-Arnold is thought to get pleasure from a sport of chess, and that’s precisely what all that is.
He’ll continually be assessing the state of affairs, and should even lean on the likes of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, gamers who stayed at Anfield when success was not at all times forthcoming.
The 25-year-old, who already has 316 appearances for the membership, is entitled to have Liverpool present their hand earlier than he commits the prime years of his profession to them – and you may solely hope he’ll like what he sees.
Total confidence
There isn’t any doubt that the membership have proven excessive negligence over the contract state of affairs, and it’s tiresome to suppose it is going to be the underlying story of the season till there’s a decision.
It is a matter that has been handed by means of one too many palms, however it’s nonsensical that it’s got up to now with Alexander-Arnold, who the Reds needs to be giving the keys to the dominion.
Maybe it might be naive, however the optimist in me does imagine that Liverpool and Alexander-Arnold will attain an settlement for a brand new contract, however they’ll make us sweat over it!
He needs assurances that he can develop and proceed to win trophies on the membership, and if these ambitions don’t align with the higher-ups then you may not fault him for wanting to go away.
What I take away from Alexander-Arnold’s feedback is that he could be ready to move for the exit, however that the membership committing and displaying they’ll match his ambitions shall be greater than sufficient to remain.
He’s not amplified causes to be involved, however Liverpool not taking his hints could be.
