Trent Alexander-Arnold has returned from injury, and Liverpool will hope he can play a significant role in navigating a potentially defining run of fixtures.

But while it might come from a place of respect for Liverpool, the radio silence amid overtures from Real Madrid is turning his situation into even more of a circus.

Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has called on Alexander-Arnold to be honest about his plans.



"To be honest with you, if he is, I'd like him to actually say "by the way, I'm going to play until the end of the season, and then I'm going to look elsewhere."

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"And you know what, Liverpool fans would go "great." He's won everything.

"But this thing about not saying anything, I really really don't get it.

Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson.

Additionally, Lawrenson is surely being optimistic with his prediction of how Liverpool fans would react.

In the cold light of day, it is possible to understand why Alexander-Arnold might want to experience a new challenge at Real Madrid, having achieved everything possible at his boyhood club

But supporters will still wonder whether he might have considered signing a new deal, at least allowing his beloved Liverpool to bank a transfer fee.

Realistically, the Real Madrid opportunity may not even be there without the fact that Alexander-Arnold will be a free agent, and he is well within his rights to flex his player power to engineer his next move