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Liverpool Transfer News: Salah and Van Dijk announcements cast doubt on Alexander-Arnold future
Liverpool have announced the dual contract extensions of Mohamed Salah and Virgil Dijk, both having agreed fresh terms on a further two years at Anfield.
But with the future of one more soon-to-be-out-of-contract star still undecided, it is perhaps the unannounced news that makes the most noise. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the remaining Liverpool star yet to commit his future to The Reds, and with rumors flying of a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid, Liverpool fans will be left worried.
It is strange to think that news of an extension for the Premier League’s leading goal scorer – Mohamed Salah – could be met with anything other than delight and relief, but the manner of this announcement speaks volumes to the lack of announcement for Alexander-Arnold. Salah’s announcement was met with riveting social media content from Liverpool’s official Instagram account. Images surfaced of Salah taking a seat at a throne placed in the middle of the Anfield pitch, a caption glossed with the words king and reign.
His captain Virgil Van Dijk’s Thursday announcement was equally as moving, with Merseyside club proudly adorning their leader’s beaming portrait. “It was always Liverpool” Van Dijk tells the club’s official site.
That marked two of out three key men putting pen to paper, and the silence surrounding the third is becoming deafening.
Trent’s Era Defined
The social world has been set alight with heated debates about whether or not a departure from Liverpool by Trent Alexander-Arnold would represent betrayal. A product of Liverpool’s academy, Trent Alexander joined the club aged just six and progressed through the ranks, making his debut in 2016 at the age of 18. Three hundred appearances and six major trophies later, and some would say he has etched his name into Liverpool folklore.
That number should rise to seven with Liverpool poised to secure this year’s Premier League title, with Trent having appeared in 28 out of Liverpool’s 32 Premier League matches this season. Six assists and two goals is a lower output than his best seasons but still proved to be useful for The Reds, who find themselves 13 points clear.
Corner Taken Quickly
The now famous commentary by Steve Hunter reacting to Trent’s quick thinking to find an unmarked Divock Origi in the Barcelona box during their 2019 Semi-Final Champions League clash. Liverpool would go on to win the tie and eventually the title, the club’s 6th in history and first in over 14 years.
Still aged just 26, many would hope he would kick on and make even more history.
Highs and Lows
While Trent’s passing and crossing abilities have placed him amongst the world’s elite right backs, much has also been made of his much maligned positioning and awareness deficiencies. Alexander-Arnold hasn’t always enjoyed the best relations with supporters, as performances for both Liverpool and England have been met with criticism at times. Some would say that pastures anew would suit the player.
Can Liverpool replace Trent Alexander-Arnold?
The lack of rumours involving Liverpool targeting right-backs this summer suggest Arne Slot is happy with his squad options. Conor Bradley has deputised admirably when called upon in Trent’s absence, so tactically an Alexander-Arnold-less Liverpool doesn’t look too different. Joe Gomez has also slotted in when called upon, so Liverpool may feel more of an emotional void than a football one.
The club will have cash to spend and a title to defend and could attract Europe’s top talent should they decide to dip into the market. Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong and Inter’s Denzel Dumfries have been names bandied about in corner of the gossip world but no substantial links have been credited at this point.
