Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has dismissed reports linking Trent Alexander-Arnold with a shock transfer to Manchester City, while also explaining how he thinks he could end up staying at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold’s future remains up in the air as his contract at Anfield ticks down. The Reds’ vice-captain’s current deal will expire at the end of the season unless he puts pen to paper soon.
Along with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, he has now received an offer for a new deal, although it remains to be seen whether he will accept it. Fears are growing among fans that a move to Real Madrid could be in the offing, with the 26-year-old able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement in January.
Recent reports though have sensationally suggested Manchester City could also be in the running for his signature, although the Etihad club wouldn’t be able to speak to him in January, with negotiations restricted to foreign clubs. Speaking to Betfred, Johnson is convinced Alexander-Arnold won’t make the short journey to Manchester.
“That move won’t happen,” Johnson said. “I’d be very surprised if it does, but we’ve seen weirder things happen in football.
“If Trent’s available on a free, then I believe every club will want him. Bayern Munich would want him, Real Madrid would want him, everybody would want him, so I’d be very surprised if he went to Manchester City and upset everybody connected with Liverpool. That move won’t happen.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold has now been offered a new contract at Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold has now been offered a new contract at Liverpool (Image: Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
What’s more, Johnson believes Alexander-Arnold could end up staying at Anfield if Liverpool goes on to lift the Premier League title this season. The Reds currently sit four points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand following the postponement of the Merseyside derby.
“If Liverpool win the Premier League, then I believe he will stay. I don’t think he wants to leave and I don’t think Liverpool want him to leave, but the longer this goes on, then the less likely that he will stay.
“He’s going to be at Liverpool or Real Madrid next season. I don’t believe he’ll go anywhere else and I don’t believe any other club can compete with them two. If Liverpool win the league, then I think he’ll stay.”
Liverpool.com says: Hopefully Alexander-Arnold’s future wouldn’t depend entirely on Liverpool winning the league. Fans won’t be best pleased if they have to wait that long for an answer.
As for the City rumors, there is surely no way the Liverpool vice-captain would go to the Etihad. A Scouser born and bred, would be a sure-fire way to turn him into a villain on Merseyside.