90min

Arne Slot explains Trent Alexander-Arnold's pointed Liverpool celebration amid Real Madrid links

  • Trent Alexander-Arnold scored Liverpool's fourth goal in a 5-0 victory over West Ham on Sunday
  • The Liverpool defender celebrated with a reference to speculation over his uncertain future
  • Arne Slot was unfazed by the repeated links with Real Madrid

By Grey Whitebloom

Trent Alexander-Arnold had a message to send after scoring in Liverpool's 5-0 thrashing of West Ham
Trent Alexander-Arnold had a message to send after scoring in Liverpool's 5-0 thrashing of West Ham / Julian Finney/GettyImages
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot coyly remarked that Trent Alexander-Arnold's goal celebration against West Ham "probably tells you enough".

The progressive right-back has been mired in transfer speculation throughout the season, with rumours peaking over the weekend as multiple reports in Spain claimed that the soon-to-be free agent had finalised a move to Real Madrid next summer.

Alexander-Arnold swatted in Liverpool's fourth goal during a 5-0 stroll against West Ham on Sunday evening, producing arguably his best performance of the season just as his future appears most uncertain. From 1 January onwards, the 26-year-old will be able to negotiate with foreign clubs regarding a free transfer when his deal expires on 30 June.

Fellow defender Virgil van Dijk and prolific forward Mohamed Salah are in the same contractual limbo as Alexander-Arnold.

Yet, despite the mounting transfer talk, Arne Slot remained entirely unfazed. "I don't think it's negative at all," the Liverpool boss said of his full-back. "He's playing really well, he scored a great goal and the way he celebrated probably tells you enough."

After watching his long-range effort fizz beyond the helpless Alphonse Areola, Alexander-Arnold raised his right hand to his ear and moved his fingers in a talking motion.

"I don't think I have to say too much about it," Slot continued. "I'm really happy with Trent, as I am with Mo and Virgil. For me, there's no difference. Maybe there is more happening in the media [with Alexander-Arnold] than the other two, but I'm really happy with the three."

Liverpool's evisceration of West Ham marked their last game of 2024 and thereby the club's final outing before the January transfer window opens, prompting the existing swell of speculation to grow each day. Sticking to the line of ardent indifference, Slot insisted that nothing will change - at least within his squad.

"Not on the inside, but on the outside," the Dutch coach conceded, "it definitely does because people talk more about it, not only about these three but also about other players.

"So it will also be about the ones we bring in or ones who could also leave."

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