Arne Slot drops Trent Alexander-Arnold hint as he issues fresh update on contract saga

Arne Slot refused to be drawn on the future of Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold after his team-mates Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk extended their contracts at Anfield

Arne Slot has refused to comment on the future of Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold but admitted he is nearing a return for the Reds after returning to training. The Anfield vice-captain has been out of action since February with an ankle injury.

Alexander-Arnold could be in the final months of his Liverpool career with his contract set to expire at the end of the season. The 26-year-old is widely expected to join Real Madrid in the summer, after the La Liga giants attempted to prise him away from Merseyside in January.

Liverpool head coach Slot has steered clear of commenting on the full-back’s plans however, and has no intention of speaking on Alexander-Arnold’s future until it is decide. The Dutchman suggested it is no yet, despite Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah both having signed contract extensions.

Slot cautiously claimed that Alexander-Arnold could be among the substitutes against Leicester this weekend. The Dutchman is happy with the academy product’s commitment.

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“No, I think you would be surprised if I answered differently to the rest of the season,” Slot said in his press conference. “It is for hours the same answer: we don’t talk about these things when they are not done and they are not.

“Trent is coming back from injury and trained with us this week, he has shown his commitment and he shows me what a player he is when he is on a pitch and how much he works hard to be back with the team and the fans of LFC, everyone who watches football knows he is an incredible full-back for this club, so let’s see what the future brings.

“Trent is not ready to start but if things go well today and tomorrow, he might – might – be on the bench. First session with the team was Weds, so not able to start but let’s see if he can join us, would be nice if he is with us.”

Slot was happier to comment on Van Dijk, after he signed a new two-year deal. “It tells you that we want to keep our best players, the ones who have had great seasons for so many years,” said Slot.

“That we are able to keep them as free agents tells you the ambitions we have for the coming years. Virgil is so important to us, great personality and great player.”

He continued: “It’s difficult to describe, you know how important he is when you see him player, everyone has complimented him over the years as a defender. I mostly watch football and look at possession, he is so, so good at bringing it out from the back.

“The diagonal passes, the through ball, the leader he is, that is something I haven’t worked with before, the energy he brings to the team, how professional he is and how he tries to help his team-mates.”

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