Trent Alexander-Arnold has opened up about his Anfield journey, expressing that he's living the dream with Liverpool. The Reds' vice-captain, whose contract is set to expire next summer, has been the subject of intense speculation over a potential switch to Real Madrid.
With the ability to sign a pre-contract with foreign clubs from January 1, there's a lot of chatter about where his future lies. Unlike teammates Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who have both publicly declared their desire to stay at Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold has kept his cards close to his chest.
When quizzed by journalists in September, he made it clear he prefers to keep contract talks private: "I have always said I want to captain the club, that is an aim of mine and a goal of mine, whether that happens is out of my hands.
Liverpool finalizes top two targets for January transfer window
Arne Slot has already confirmed that 'outstanding' star will lose his place in Liverpool's team
"Look, I have been at the club 20-years now, I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public. And this one won't be either."
As such, only those within Alexander-Arnold's inner circle will know if he's leaning towards staying loyal to Liverpool or entertaining a free transfer to Real Madrid. The defender, poised for a comeback against Man City after a hamstring issue, boasts an impressive record of 325 games, 19 goals, and 81 assists for Liverpool, along with a full trophy cabinet.
He has surpassed his wildest dreams at Anfield, confessing in "Backyard Dreams" how he's living the ultimate fantasy as a pro footballer. "I never thought I'd play this many games," he shared.
"I never thought I'd win as many trophies or achieve the things that I've done. I'm living my dream every single day and I have done from the minute I started kicking a ball until now, to be honest."
Alexander-Arnold also spilled on his childhood idols from Liverpool, admitting he used to emulate Reds icon Steven Gerrard during kickabouts. "Obviously I didn't see it as practicing or trying to get better," he said.
"I just saw it as playing a game with my brothers. But, you put the hours in, you get better. I was Gerrard, for sure, there was no-one else for me. I loved [Fernando] Torres, Luis Garcia, [Luis] Suarez, but Gerrard was the one for me."