Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s contract scenario at Liverpool stays unresolved, and his newest feedback may be interpreted in various 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 international 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 might be resolved by the top of the yr, as all three have the suitable to solid judgement over Slot’s potential and look forward to the phrases that finest swimsuit them.
The scenario is a no brainer for the membership, however Alexander-Arnold’s latest feedback on the scenario 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 advised reporters over the weekend on his future – an anticipated however not precisely dedicated response.
As Liverpool followers, we have now been burned earlier than with regards to key gamers deciding their future shouldn’t be at Anfield – and Alexander-Arnold doing the identical could be soul-destroying.
The 25-year-old has been with Liverpool for the reason that 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 in search of positivity inside his latest feedback, then the reiteration of this ambition is considerably promising.
“I’ve at all times mentioned I need to captain the membership. That could be a aim of mine, whether or not that occurs is out of my palms,” the No. 66 mentioned.
“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 received’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 have now already seen from Van Dijk and Salah, although it may be mentioned these two gave us a stronger indication that their intention and want is to remain on the membership.
One other aspect to all of that is Slot. After taking part in his whole senior profession below Jurgen Klopp, a brand new head coach modifications what he has at all times recognized, 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 how you can be higher as a participant,” he mentioned of Slot.
“I’m somebody who desires to be taught, somebody who desires to be the very best and somebody who strives to be the very best ever.
“We form of talked about targets and goals, and I mentioned to him that I wish to be the defender that nobody desires to return up towards in Europe.
“We agreed that he might 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 desires me to enhance.”
They’re the phrases you need to hear from Alexander-Arnold, that he’s searching for that subsequent step and embracing the change – however whereas that may be a optimistic, his phrases on ambition go above the Dutchman.
A message to match his ambitions
Whereas I don’t see any challenge with the abovementioned feedback with regards to 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 sincere,” the Scouser mentioned on what’s going to show persuasive when he comes to a decision.
“I need to win trophies, I’m a participant who is extremely motivated by trophies and profitable issues and being elite.
“So that’s most likely the principle issue of something, if in case you have a persona that’s elite, who desires 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 massive ambitions that Liverpool might want to present that they may help him reside 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 search out it elsewhere.
After all, elsewhere is probably going Actual Madrid, who do not need to flex their trophy haul however can remind him that they’ve received 11 items of silverware since 2020 alone.
These feedback greater than the others is probably not reassuring for the membership, however perhaps they don’t seem to be meant to be; Alexander-Arnold is understood to take pleasure in a sport of chess, and that’s precisely what all that is.
He’ll continuously be assessing the scenario, 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 scenario, and it’s tiresome to suppose it will likely 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 so far with Alexander-Arnold, who the Reds ought 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 desires 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 might not fault him for wanting to depart.
What I take away from Alexander-Arnold’s feedback is that he could be ready to go for the exit, however that the membership committing and displaying they’ll match his ambitions might be greater than sufficient to remain.
He’s not amplified causes to be involved, however Liverpool not taking his hints could be.
