Liverpool give up on Trent Alexander-Arnold! Reds 'know' homegrown hero will leave and could try to sell him to Real Madrid in January before contract expiry

Having come through the Liverpool youth system, Alexander-Arnold has become a major star for the Reds over the last few years and is now a cult hero at Anfield. However, with his contract expiring in the summer of 2025, concerns over his future have been raised as negotiations over an extension have not gone swimmingly with the club's top brass.

As per Spanish publication Marca, Liverpool have essentially given up hope of trying to get Alexander-Arnold to extend his stay on Merseyside and as such are considering selling the 26-year-old in January, so as to not lose him for free in the summer. Real Madrid are big admirers of the full-back and have been open about their interest in Alexander-Arnold. However, club president Florentino Perez and co have been proceeding with caution as they want to maintain their good relations with Liverpool.

Real Madrid's interest in Alexander-Arnold has been well-documented over recent months, but speculation has notably ramped up in the last few days. Liverpool, meanwhile, are also working to tie Mohamed Salah and club captain Virgil van Dijk down to new contracts with their deals also up in 2025.

The Reds do have cover for Alexander-Arnold in case the 26-year-old leaves Anfield in January, in the form of the rising star Conor Bradley, who has played wonderfully for Liverpool when called upon. Though still only 21, he recently captained the Northern Ireland senior side.