By SAM BROOKES
Published: 04:13 EDT, 1 April 2025 | Updated: 04:13 EDT, 1 April 2025
Arne Slot has delivered his verdict on reports that Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer.
Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool contract is due to expire at the end of the season, and it was revealed during the international break that he is closing in on reaching an agreement to leave his boyhood club to move to the Spanish capital.
Slot has now reacted to the news ahead of Wednesday's Merseyside derby against Everton, with Liverpool looking to bounce back from successive losses to PSG and Newcastle.
Speaking on Alexander-Arnold, Slot said: 'His situation is unfortunately that he is injured. For him, that means he is fully focused on his recovery. We're trying to help him to come back. We've never been focused on those talks.'
Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also nearing the end of their own deals, but Slot refused to criticise any of his star trio who are all facing uncertain futures.
Asked whether he was worried that Alexander-Arnold could leave in a matter of weeks, Slot replied: 'No. It's a situation that is there for eight or nine months now and I think that all these players have performed so well for us.'
More to follow...
Arne Slot has spoken about Trent Alexander-Arnold closing in on joining Real Madrid