Trent Alexander-Arnold has a huge choice to make: turn his back on Liverpool and join Real Madrid, or cement his place as an Anfield legend.
Yes, Trent has already won the lot at Liverpool and may want a new challenge in the form of a move abroad, but he’ll need to be certain that he’s making the right decision for his career.
Liverpool’s record-breaking right-back has been one of many players in great form this season, as Slot’s side sit top of both the Premier League and Champions League.
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While Trent’s contract situation is still up in the air, with a move to Real Madrid a real possibility, he’s managed to avoid letting the transfer speculation affect his performances on the pitch.
Under Jurgen Klopp, Trent was often criticised for his defensive ability but he has been much-improved so far this season and is part of the best defence in the league. His expected assists in the Premier League have also improved under Slot, rising from 0.25 per 90 last season to 0.32 so far.
Trent has spoken this season about his intention to become the first fullback to win the Ballon D’Or. To do that, he’ll need to be at a club that provides him with the platform to showcase his outrageous talent.
Why Trent Alexander-Arnold HAS to stay at Liverpool
At Liverpool, Trent has the world at his feet. While Klopp helped make Trent the player he is today, his game seems to be maturing under Slot right as the 26-year-old enters what should be his peak years.
And Trent knows this too. Liverpool are less gung-ho under Slot than they were with Klopp, and the change in style suits him.
"The style with which he [Slot] coaches, and the style with which we play and the identity we have as a team is something that is there to see," Trent told TNT Sports ahead of the Merseyside derby. "We're all enjoying it, he's getting the best out of players, that's all you want as a player. We're all willing to learn to improve."
That enjoyment is clear to see across the squad, as Slot's approach to the game has seen massive improvements from a number of players.
"That's what you want, he's someone who will coach that into us," Trent continued. "Like you've seen, the lads have bought into it from day one. That's what you need as a new manager, when you've got willing lads to learn and receive feedback, then you're halfway there."
Trent: Slot's tactics are MIND-BLOWING
Slot has not just impressed Trent, he's blown him away.
"The tactics are mind-blowing as well," he says. "If I'm honest, I don't think anyone would have said we'd be as good as we are."
The fact that a player who is set to leave the club at the end of the season to speak of their current manager in such high regard shows that deep down, Trent knows his best move would be to stay at Liverpool.
Real Madrid are tempting, of course. No doubt they will have promised Trent that he will be one of the most important players in the team, that they will play a style which will suit his game, that he can become a superstar in Spain.
They would have told Kylian Mbappe the exact same thing, and look how that's working out.
In reality, Trent is already all of those things at Liverpool, and if winning the Ballon D'Or is really one of his biggest aims, then there is no better place for him to do so.
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