Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s contract scenario at Liverpool stays unresolved, and his newest feedback might be interpreted in quite a few methods, so ought to followers be involved?
The shadow hanging over the Reds’ first season underneath 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 will not be agreed by then.
This can be very unlikely that their futures can be resolved by the tip of the 12 months, as all three have the appropriate to forged judgement over Slot’s potential and anticipate the phrases that greatest swimsuit them.
The scenario is a no brainer for the membership, however Alexander-Arnold’s current feedback on the scenario after the win over Bournemouth have been interpreted a myriad of how – 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 instructed reporters over the weekend on his future – an anticipated however not precisely dedicated response.
As Liverpool followers, we now have been burned earlier than in relation 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 will not be simply damaged.
He has spoken beforehand about his need to captain the membership, and if we’re in search of positivity inside his current feedback, then the reiteration of this ambition is considerably promising.
“I’ve all the time mentioned I need to captain the membership. That may be a objective of mine, whether or not that occurs is out of my fingers,” 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 a giant nudge.
It’s a tactic we now have already seen from Van Dijk and Salah, although it may be mentioned these two gave us a stronger indication that their intention and need is to remain on the membership.
One other factor to all of that is Slot. After enjoying his whole senior profession underneath Jurgen Klopp, a brand new head coach adjustments what he has all the time 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 shortly to mattress.
“It’s actually refreshing to have a supervisor who will assist and information and train me easy methods to be higher as a participant,” he mentioned of Slot.
“I’m somebody who needs to study, somebody who needs 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 needs to return up in opposition to in Europe.
“We agreed that he can 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’t 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 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 problem with the abovementioned feedback in relation to whether or not Alexander-Arnold will lengthen or not, his ambition statements had a distinct impact.
“An important factor is all the time trophies if I’m sincere,” the Scouser mentioned on what is 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 successful issues and being elite.
“So that’s in all probability the principle issue of something, when you have a character 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 reside out.
The membership can’t afford to face nonetheless, and his love for the membership won’t blind him as to whether success remains to be achievable at Anfield or if he has to seek out it elsewhere.
In fact, elsewhere is probably going Actual Madrid, who would not have 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 will not be reassuring for the membership, however perhaps they don’t seem to be meant to be; Alexander-Arnold is thought to take pleasure in a sport of chess, and that’s precisely what all that is.
He’ll consistently be assessing the scenario, and will even lean on the likes of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, gamers who stayed at Anfield when success was not all the time 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’ll solely hope he’ll like what he sees.
Total confidence
There isn’t a doubt that the membership have proven excessive negligence over the contract scenario, and it’s tiresome to assume 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 way of one too many fingers, however it’s nonsensical that it’s got up to now 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 consider 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 might not fault him for wanting to depart.
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 exhibiting they will match his ambitions can be greater than sufficient to remain.
He’s not amplified causes to be involved, however Liverpool not taking his hints could be.
