Alexander-Arnold aims dig at Klopp as Romano drops contract bomb

Tom Weber

Updated: 23 Sept 2024 17:18 BST
4 min read

Jurgen Klopp, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool — © IMAGO

Trent Alexander-Arnold has spoken out on his future amid links to Real Madrid, aiming a sly dig at Jurgen Klopp in the process.

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The Liverpool vice-captain has been in the news a lot lately. Out of contract next year, Alexander-Arnold does not yet appear to be engaged in talks over a new deal with the club.

Real Madrid have been keeping a keen eye on developments at Anfield, which has naturally given rise to intense speculation regarding the right-back's future.

On Sunday, the player spoke to the media about his ambitions for the upcoming months, revealing: “I have always said I want to captain the club. That is a goal of mine, whether that happens is out of my hands.

“I want to be a Liverpool player this season is what I will say. I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public and this one won’t be either.

“I want to win trophies, I am a player who is highly motivated by trophies and winning things and being elite." Off the back of this, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that priority will be given to Liverpool should contract talks materialise.

Alexander-Arnold won't jump at the opportunity to join Real Madrid. He is willing to negotiate with Liverpool first and foremost and then make a decision whether or not to extend his deal.

Trent's Klopp dig

In addition to addressing his future, the defender also spoke about his relationship with new coach Arne Slot. Intriguingly, he has joined other Reds players such as Curtis Jones in seemingly aiming digs at legendary ex-manager Jurgen Klopp.

“I said to him [Slot] that I would like to be the defender that no one wants to come up against in Europe," Alexander-Arnold said. "We agreed that he will be harsh on me. If any time an attacker gets by me and gets past me, he will call it out in meetings, and individual meetings, and say this cannot happen.

It is really refreshing to have a manager who will help and guide and teach me how to be better as a player.

- Trent Alexander-Arnold on Arne Slot

"We go through every game together and he highlights where he wants me to improve. Even after the Milan game, we had about 20 clips going through what I could have done better and the good parts as well.

“It is really refreshing to have a manager who will help and guide and teach me how to be better as a player. I am someone who wants to learn, someone who wants to be the best and someone who strives to be the best ever.”