As Liverpool head into the second worldwide break of the season with the way forward for Trent Alexander-Arnold nonetheless up within the air, Aaron Cutler asks whether or not leaving on a free would taint his legacy.
Liverpool are sitting fairly; prime of the desk heading into the second worldwide break of the season, Arne Slot couldn’t have wished for a greater begin to his reign. One Nottingham Forest aberration aside, it has confirmed the smoothest transition.
But, for all of the positivity on the sphere, uncertainty off it serves to examine optimism.
Contract renewals, or relatively an absence of them, are a spectre hanging over the membership on the eve of a crunch interval. Furthermore, it’s one looming ever bigger given these concerned can begin negotiating with rivals from abroad as quickly as January.
That it has come to this displays poorly on these operating the present.
Mitigating components can actually be offered, adjustments in supervisor and sporting director chief amongst them, however to threat dropping three of your 4 genuinely world-class gamers in a single summer time is a dereliction of obligation. Spinning that doomsday state of affairs as something however a disaster can be a tall order.
Whereas supporters aren’t privy to personal discussions, two of the three gamers in query have at the least indicated a want to stay at Anfield. After all, public statements of that sort generally is a negotiation tactic in themselves, however given the personalities of Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah, you’d prefer to consider their intentions are real.
That leaves Trent Alexander-Arnold. From the skin trying in, his long-term future seems essentially the most unsure and given his roots, essentially the most contentious.
Judged by a distinct customary
Rightly or wrongly, loyalty is demanded from native gamers, significantly those that have graduated from the academy.
Have been Van Dijk or Salah to depart Liverpool subsequent summer time it might be regrettable however there would nonetheless be fond farewells. Have been Trent to observe go well with, he dangers burning bridges and that’s a dilemma he’s absolutely reckoning with.
Apparent comparisons have been made to Steven Gerrard who shunned loads of advances, to cement his legacy on the membership and inside the metropolis. One other Scouser, although, has beforehand charted a course away from L4.
Steve McManaman proved there’s life after Liverpool and silverware to be hoovered up. One of many few feedback Trent has made in relation to his contract ‘stand-off’ is the importance of trophies.
Signing for Actual Madrid is assured entry to the winners’ ball, however in his case there’s a value of admission – he want look no additional than McManaman as a cautionary story.
Youthful followers could not admire simply how good a participant ‘Macca’ was. Questionable barnets and commentary (Sloberszlai?) alike imply he’s painted as considerably of a joke determine on social media. On the pitch, he was something however.
The artistic fulcrum of Roy Evans’ 90s aspect, he offered the creativity that made them one of the potent sides of the period. Throughout 9 years he assisted 85 objectives, comfortably putting him among the many prime 10 most artistic gamers in our historical past – and nonetheless above Trent, simply.
He additionally starred in two main closing victories, memorably netting each objectives within the League Cup triumph of 1995.
He’s a Liverpool legend in all however identify and that’s solely as a result of he finally ran down his contract. The primary high-profile Bosman switch, his choice to go away on a free tainted his legacy and repute.
Whereas no one would name McManamann unpopular he’s positively not revered. He’s extra more likely to obtain a small applause than a standing ovation.
To be clear, he’s unlikely to lose any sleep – two Champions League and La Liga medals be certain that – however there should absolutely be a pang of remorse that he’s not lauded in the identical method as his nice good friend, Robbie Fowler.
Trent has a lot to think about over the approaching weeks however legacy will certainly come into consideration. Legendary standing is inside attain however following a distinct path now will make any return journey dwelling that bit trickier. Depart on a free and also you’d finest not hassle.
He’s the inheritor obvious to the captaincy, the person round which Slot’s Liverpool would absolutely be constructed and somebody with a mural devoted to them exterior Anfield. He stands on the point of realising all the things he’s ever labored in direction of and but the brilliant lights of Madrid present a fly within the ointment.
The self-proclaimed glamour membership can dazzle even essentially the most dedicated of gamers.
That temptation will solely enhance when overtures come by the use of one in all your finest pals in Jude Bellingham.
Is it honest that he’s held to a distinct customary merely due to the place he was born? Maybe.
In some other stroll of life, an worker could be inspired to earn and obtain extra, significantly if that have been in sunnier climates, much more so in the event that they’ve hit each KPI of their present office (one thing Gerrard by no means managed).
However soccer is tribal and Liverpool is outstanding.
Behind closed doorways
By stating he intends to deal with the scenario in non-public Alexander-Arnold has purchased himself time however not a lot. With every passing week, apprehension grows among the many fanbase. The longer this deadlock drags on, the better the chance of discontent from the stands.
If we’re no nearer to a breakthrough in a month’s time, and the staff and participant’s requirements drop, the possibilities are the temper music will change and Trent can be within the firing line together with his dedication questioned. That’s the tough actuality of soccer.
Rumblings of that sort have been already evident within the wake of his response to being substituted in opposition to Brentford. So too studies, albeit from Spain, that he’s not answered Liverpool’s newest proposals. There’s a nervousness that would shortly flip to anger.
The prevailing perspective is that Trent is entitled to take his time, however that endurance may run out. We’re already at a degree the place his each transfer and facial features are being studied. A season-ending damage to Madrid’s present right-back, Dani Carvajal, has additional ratcheted up the anxiousness.
Ought to we attain Easter with no renewal confirmed, he might be operating the gauntlet.
For Liverpool’s half, you belief the membership has ready an acceptable provide befitting a participant of his high quality. Latest quotes from Messrs Van Dijk and Salah imply even they will’t be taken as a right, however the fits can be keenly conscious that of the three, Trent completely should recover from the road.
To lose a participant of his capability at this age and given his private attachment to the membership, could be an enormous blow and couldn’t be painted as something completely different. It could weaken not solely the staff however our standing on the world stage.
The most important golf equipment retain their finest gamers. The stakes are excessive and either side have quite a bit to lose.
