Cody Gakpo drops significant Trent Alexander-Arnold contract hint

Cody Gakpo dropped the biggest hint yet that Trent Alexander-Arnold could in fact extend his Liverpool contract and reject the advances of Real Madrid.

The Dutchman has emerged as a key player for the Reds this season, scoring 17 goals across all competitions including nine in the Premier League. He saved one of his best for Sunday's convincing 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, which sealed the title, as his nifty footwork and precise finish left Guglielmo Vicario diving away to his right in vain.

Gakpo revelled in Sunday's celebrations at a jubilant Anfield, joining his team-mates in front of the Kop as the players sang the club's famed 'You'll Never Walk Alone' anthem, but he also fronted up to the cameras to speak about Liverpool's title success as the party got underway on Merseyside.

During an on-pitch interview with Sky Sports, Gakpo let slip: "Now with Mo [Salah] and Virgil [Van Dijk] staying, and hopefully Trent as well, they can keep building."

That reference to Alexander-Arnold potentially staying at Liverpool could be significant, given the 26-year-old has been courted by Real Madrid for a number of months. The interest from the 15-time Champions League winners has even led to widespread suggestions that Alexander-Arnold has already agreed to move to Spain at the end of his contract, walking away from his boyhood club for free.

Whether or not Gakpo's comments are inside knowledge or simply hope that his team-mate will stay remains to be seen, but Liverpool supporters will hope that Alexander-Arnold follows the examples of Salah and Van Dijk. Both signed two-year contract extensions after lengthy talks, committing themselves to the project of Arne Slot, who joined an exclusive list of managers to win the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Alexander-Arnold has been in terrific form throughout the campaign but has also spent time on the sidelines because of injury. His absence has allowed Conor Bradley regular minutes to shine, proving the Northern Irishman has what it takes to replace Alexander-Arnold if he does choose to leave.

Liverpool are expected to go into the market for a new right-back should the Spanish capital prove too much for Alexander-Arnold to resist, though Bradley is expected to step up and become first-choice in that scenario.

Publicly, Alexander-Arnold has declined to elaborate on his future plans, most recently saying after scoring the winning goal against Leicester City: "I said all season I'm not going to speak on my situation or comment on details but days like today are special. Scoring goals, winning games, being close to winning titles. Special moments that will live with me forever."

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