To borrow Jude Bellingham’s phrases from final month: ‘When Actual Madrid come knocking, the entire home shakes.’
On Tuesday, Actual Madrid and their president Florentino Perez supposed to knock on Liverpool’s door — however have been chased down the road earlier than they’d set foot on the driveway.
An enquiry from the Spanish champions to the Premier League leaders about signing Trent Alexander-Arnold this month was swiftly rebuffed and that, so far as Liverpool are involved, is that.
Discussions by no means obtained so far as ‘right here is our provide’ as a result of Actual have been turned away earlier than cash may even be mentioned.
However be beneath no phantasm: the video games have begun.
In reality, they have been already nicely beneath manner, ramped up over the weekend when Marca, the newspaper most intently linked to Los Blancos, ran a front-cover headline suggesting that Alexander-Arnold had determined to move to Madrid.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has the decision of a lifetime to make as he weighs up leaving Liverpool
Liverpool swiftly rebuffed Actual Madrid’s strategy on Tuesday, however the video games have simply begun
Experiences in Spain declare Alexander-Arnold has already determined to hitch Los Blancos, whereas Liverpool sources insist he reveals no want to go away
That was backed up on Saturday when a number of sources in Spain informed Mail Sport of the 15-time European champions’ confidence that they’d tempt him to hitch them. All of the noise from the Spanish capital was optimistic that Alexander-Arnold would quickly be their man.
Liverpool have adopted a calmer strategy. It’s understood dialogue between the membership and Alexander-Arnold’s camp has been ongoing for months and the Reds have by no means been given any indication he desires to go away.
There are a number of sides to this story and it’s value saying no choice has been made both manner but. Alexander-Arnold has the decision of a lifetime to make right here and there are important execs and cons to each choices.
The enchantment of becoming a member of Actual is clear: Alexander-Arnold has gained every little thing he can in England, can declare extra silverware in Spain and maybe achieve a greater basis to take particular person gongs such because the Ballon d’Or.
He would play together with his good pal Bellingham and expertise a brand new lifestyle in a brand new nation.
On the flipside, he may cement himself as a real Liverpool legend if he have been to remain. He’s the heir-apparent to the captaincy at his boyhood membership and, as an area lad, there are few honours higher than skippering this staff. And, arguably, Liverpool are a greater staff than Actual proper now.
Michael Owen mentioned the professionals and cons on this platform on Christmas Eve — which, given the speedy growth of this saga, feels prefer it was six months in the past — however the distinction right here is, in contrast to Owen and Steve McManaman, Alexander-Arnold doesn’t want to go away to win the massive trophies.
Madrid’s enchantment is clear – he can compete for silverware, play with Jude Bellingham, and maybe have a greater shout for the Ballon d’Or
Madrid supervisor Carlo Ancelotti is eager to signal a brand new proper again to bolster his injury-hit squad
Nonetheless, Liverpool are arguably the higher aspect for the time being and beat Madrid in November
All of the discuss in Spain over the weekend, and certainly all season, instructed a January transfer was not on the playing cards. That continues to be the case and Liverpool’s rebuttal all however shuts the door on it.
However the truth Actual even tried is critical and is a part of their mind-games technique.
Given all of the discuss, one couldn’t blame Alexander-Arnold if his head have been turned and distraction affected him within the coming days.
That has not been the case thus far — simply take a look at his celebration at West Ham final Sunday — and is unlikely to vary. He’s dedicated to Liverpool’s targets.
In October, Reds boss Arne Slot was requested whether or not Actual courting Alexander-Arnold would distract the participant and he mentioned: ‘You underestimate our gamers. They’re used to being linked with all the highest golf equipment every day, if they’ve contracts or not.
‘If you happen to suppose they’re disturbed by these pursuits, then I feel you don’t do justice to how sturdy they’re mentally and what they’re used to.
‘That is a part of our job. That is a part of the world we live in. You simply give attention to what it’s a must to do. Possibly for those who’re 17 or 18 years of age, that might be troublesome for you.
‘However Trent has gained the Premier League, he has gained the Champions League, Virgil (van Dijk) and Mo (Salah) the identical. I don’t suppose that it’s a downside for them to carry out.’
Arne Slot has insisted that Liverpool’s contract sagas aren’t a distraction to the gamers
That is descending right into a phoney warfare, phrases exchanged with little motion to again them up. Actual use their media mouthpieces, Liverpool sit quietly and patiently and demand that there’s nothing to fret about.
Slot is commonly the person tasked with discovering new methods to reply awkward questions. They arrive virtually every day — ‘Any updates on contracts?’ — and the response is at all times the identical. To his credit score, he has amusing and joke about it however he have to be uninterested in having to face up and provides straight-bat replies.
Which brings us to the purpose that there’s just one man who can cease all of the noise, the questions, the talk and the soap-opera: Alexander-Arnold himself. As an alternative of the cryptic celebration pointing to his ear, speaking his choice would silence all of it.
There’s a faculty of thought in some quarters of Liverpool’s fanbase that that is the type of saga which may derail their title bid. Given Slot’s tendency to dismiss any perceived bump within the highway, that’s unlikely — however it’s actually one thing to contemplate.
The saga doesn’t assist anybody at Liverpool. Not Slot. Not the dressing room, which is now awash with uncertainty. And never Alexander-Arnold himself, who’s receiving sturdy criticism from some supporters for not committing his future to his boyhood staff.
Many have questioned whether or not Actual would even attempt their luck at signing him in January if they’d not been given encouragement that he desires to hitch them.
That could be a honest level, however as one supply put it: ‘That is Madrid throwing in a grenade and seeing what occurs.’
Liverpool, although, are not any mushy touches. With skilled heads working the membership, they have been by no means going to flinch on the first sight of hazard and let Alexander-Arnold stroll away with out combating to maintain him.
Liverpool are additionally in negotiations with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk over new contracts
It isn’t value cashing in on Alexander-Arnold in January whereas he’s serving to a title cost
It was the identical with Philippe Coutinho seven years in the past, once they dug their heels in and managed to attract a £146million charge from Barcelona. Liverpool have been laughing all the way in which to the financial institution and reinvested that cash on Van Dijk (£75m) and Alisson (£64.6m). Though balance-sheets won’t show it, cashing in on Alexander-Arnold now — for concern of shedding him free of charge in the summertime — will not be worthwhile for Liverpool except Actual’s provide is astronomical.
If the 26-year-old can assist the Reds to win the Premier League or Champions League, he’s value maintaining.
Predicting Alexander-Arnold’s future is advanced. All of the noise in Spain suggests he’s already their man, whereas these on Merseyside are relaxed and demand they’ve had no indication that he desires to leap ship.
However there may be one secure guess: this saga is simply in its infancy and extra Actual thoughts video games are coming quickly. Comfortable New 12 months.
