Liverpool had two reasons to rebuff Real Madrid’s approach for Trent Alexander-Arnold.The first is that they are still hopeful the right-back will sign a new contract at Anfield so why would they entertain an offer with dialogue still open with the player. But the second – and most important at the moment – reason is that they need him for the rest of the season.
Conor Bradley may be a ready-made replacement if Alexander-Arnold does opt for Spain in the summer. But this Liverpool team under Arne Slot is currently flying with the England international at right back so there’s no chance the Reds were going to rock the boat.
Some may argue that it is a chance to get some money in for the player if his intention is to walk away at the end of the campaign when his contract runs out. That’s still not known yet, either. But if he does decide that, what good would £20m or so do for Liverpool this month?
It won’t be enough to buy another right-back of Alexander-Arnold’s level, that’s for sure. But what would the worth of winning the Premier League and/or European Cup be to the club?There’s the financial prize, of course. In both competitions it is huge. Finishing higher in the table or going deeper in the Champions League means more pound notes and plenty of them.
Then there’s the economic impact around it in increased revenue from merchandise, TV, advertising and sponsorships. But as a simple sporting decision, it would be madness to sell any starting player now when you’re top of the table in England and Europe as well as in a Carabao Cup semi-final.
The only reason for it is so you can get a fee but it would be a scandalous decision to upset the team for a few million. It is why – quite rightly – Liverpool told Real in no uncertain terms where they stood on the matter. Alexander-Arnold is not for sale.
The Reds’ focus is on winning this season and getting the player to sign a new deal. They’re hopeful both of those things will happen.Real need a right-back now but they’ll have to wait until the summer if they want Alexander-Arnold. They’re entitled to test the waters themselves with their approach but even they must have known what would be the response.
The move may have put more pressure on Alexander-Arnold to make a decision sooner rather than later but there still seems to be no rush on the player’s part to do that.
Liverpool have stood firm here. It gives them time to get their local star to sign a new deal but while they can control where the player finishes this season, it’s out of their hands on where he starts the next one.
