Liverpool continue to go from strength to strength under Arne Slot, with their latest win a stunning 2-0 triumph over Real Madrid.
England star Jude Bellingham says Liverpool deserved to beat Real Madrid at Anfield, where Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo grabbed the goals.
Liverpool are now back on top of the new Champions League table, with five wins from their five matches so far.
The Merseyside club are also sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table, but amid all the positivity there remains a dark cloud hanging over Arne Slot and his squad.
Star trio Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all running down their contracts, although The Times has reported that talks are continuing with the defensive duo.
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpoo...
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images
Trent Alexander-Arnold watches Conor Bradley shine for Liverpool
Salah meanwhile is disappointed about his Liverpool situation, with the Egyptian attacker frustrated about the club’s handling of his current deal, with his two teammates likely of a similar opinion.
He missed a penalty in the victory over Real Madrid, but still impressed at Anfield along with Van Dijk, with Alexander-Arnold having watched on from the bench.
The right-back is only just coming back from injury, but Liverpool fans simply didn’t need to worry about his absence, with his deputy Conor Bradley producing a phenomenal performance.
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Bradley was undoubtedly the Man of the Match against the La Liga giants, with his display epitomised by a crunching challenge on Kylian Mbappe.
That moment inspired the Anfield crowd to another level, with the Reds going on to clinch a memorable win against their old nemesis.
Neil Mellor has rightly called Alexander-Arnold ‘magnificent’, but Bradley certainly isn’t far off the levels he has produced over recent seasons.
THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT Conor Bradley of Liverpool in action with Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 27, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool can afford to halt Trent Alexander-Arnold contract talks
And Bradley’s latest display could now have longer-term implications, with Slot and the powers that be perhaps taking it into consideration in the current contract dilemma.
If prioritising one or even two out-of-contract stars is an option, Alexander-Arnold could now find himself at the bottom of the pile.
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At just 21, Bradley is only going to get better, with his versatility and leadership already at impressive levels thanks to his international exploits.
The right-back has played in a more progressive role with Northern Ireland, while he has already donned the captain’s armband for his nation.
Salah and Van Dijk meanwhile, while older than Alexander-Arnold, remain crucial players for Slot, with both irreplaceable at this moment in time.
Finding suitable alternatives for the experienced duo will be near-impossible, and they both still have so much to give on and indeed off the pitch.
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