Arne Slot has downplayed the growing speculation linking Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold with a potential free transfer to Real Madrid next summer.
Slot claimed that it “would be weird” if he wasn’t involved in discussions regarding Alexander-Arnold’s future but expressed little concern over the rumors.
Alexander-Arnold, along with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, is among three high-profile Liverpool stars who will be able to negotiate pre-contract agreements with clubs outside of England from January 1.
Recent reports from Spanish outlet Marca have fueled rumors of Real Madrid’s interest in securing the services of the England international.
With Madrid legally allowed to open talks at the start of the New Year, Alexander-Arnold’s future has become a frequent topic of conversation in the English football media.
However, Slot, while acknowledging the speculation, emphasized that such rumours don’t permeate the dressing room atmosphere.
He expects to be informed about the club’s efforts to secure new contracts for Alexander-Arnold, Salah, and Van Dijk.
Although Slot has repeatedly sidestepped specific updates regarding the trio’s contract situations, citing that it’s not his direct responsibility as head coach, he stressed that he will be involved in negotiations alongside sporting director Richard Hughes.
Arne Slot added that Alexander-Arnold’s maturity, particularly in his role as the club’s 26-year-old vice-captain, will help him stay focused despite the persistent links to a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
“I think you underestimate our players,” Arne Slot said.
“These players are used to being linked with all the top clubs on a daily basis, whether they have contracts or not.
“If you think they’re disturbed by these interests, then I think you don’t do justice to how strong they are mentally and what they are used to.
“This is part of our job. I was at Feyenoord last year and they linked me with many clubs and before that and before that.
“This is part of this world we are living in.
“You just focus on what you have to do. Maybe if you’re 17 or 18 years of age, that could be difficult for you.
“But Trent has won the league, has won the Champions League, Virgil and Mo are the same.
“I don’t think that is a problem for them to perform.
“That’s also what we see at the moment because they’re playing really well, put it that way.
“That’s difficult for me to judge. If you call me manager or head coach that’s different from how it was.
“I’ve always been a head coach and I’ve always been involved in contract situations like ‘who do you want to extend?’
“I’m not the one that is sitting in front of the agents talking about money.
“I don’t think Jurgen Klopp did this [at Liverpool]? I think there is no difference.
“I don’t know because I don’t know how it worked.
“I know that we spoke quite some time about [the job title] ‘manager’ or ‘head coach’.
“I said: ‘We’ve spoken about it a bit now but for me it is the same’.
Slot added: “It would be really weird [if I was not involved].
“There’s no sporting director in the world, even if you have legally no input, that he would bring a player in or extend a player that you don’t want.
“You always talk about these things.
“The good thing about being a head coach is that you can always say if these things come up: ‘Go to the sporting director!’
“No, for me [the contract situation] is not difficult [to deal with] because I am always focused on the short-term so only focused on Chelsea and the good thing is all these three players are available to me – although let’s wait [until after training on Friday].
“So, no, the only thing is every time it is the same question the good thing is I can give the same answer!
“For me it is not something I am wondering about.
“If after the last game of this season is played then it might bother me to think ‘are they here or not?’
“But my main focus is now the short-term and I think in football it is mainly about the short-term – especially if you are a manager.
“We are planning the long-term as well but that’s more for me to help Richard with the long-term.
“My main focus is the short-term.”
Read more: Erik ten Hag ‘doesn’t have much time to turn things around’ at Manchester United
Ryan Gravenberch reflects on first encounter with Chelsea as Liverpool player
Gary Neville gives prediction for Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Chelsea
