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Arne Slot has inherited several difficult contract situations - with Trent Alexander-Arnold among them(Image: PA)

Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid is seemingly a case of when, rather than if, after reports this week suggested the move was nearing.

The Liverpool right-back, a product of the club's academy, has been among the trio of players involved in season-long contract sagas.

It is looking as though the man who wears No 66 will be leaving for pastures new having achieved everything possible whilst at Anfield.



The Reds faced the threat of losing three of their most important players come the season's end but, back then, that didn't seem to be a major concern.

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Liverpool had started the season brightly, winning commandingly at Old Trafford, but speaking afterwards Salah made it known that he was viewing this as his final season at Anfield.

All of a sudden the contract issues were now a talking point but Slot maintained it wasn't a distraction despite the dangers of losing Salah, Alexander-Arnold and co.

He said: "It's again the boring answer you are going to get from me as long as there is no news.

It was also a regular theme in Slot's press conferences but the manager, who himself was linked with a job switch before he was announced as the Liverpool boss last season, accepted it was just part and parcel of doing what they do.

He said, with Alexander-Arnold in mind: “These players are used to being linked with all the top clubs on a daily basis.

All the stats showed that much of the Manchester attacking success had come down Alexander-Arnold's side.

The timing of his difficult performance could not have been worse amid suggestions his mind was elsewhere, namely Madrid, but Slot refused to blame his player, failing to even concede that his right-back had a difficult day.

He said: "I do see a certain pattern in the goals we concede but I don't see the pattern if it is about Trent.