Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has dropped the strongest indication yet that he is set to sign a new contract with his boyhood team.
The Reds' vice-captain is one of three high-profile players who are in the final 12 months of their deal at Anfield, alongside prolific attacker Mohamed Salah and skipper Virgil van Dijk.
Alexander-Arnold's uncertain contract situation is believed to have put Real Madrid on red alert, as Los Blancos are planning for life after Dani Carvajal, and Jude Bellingham has struck up a close friendship with his Liverpool colleague.
If Alexander-Arnold does not sign a new contract before the New Year, he will be able to open pre-contract talks with foreign clubs in the January transfer window, although Liverpool are not thought to be fearful of losing the 25-year-old given his deep connection with the club.
In a recent conversation with the Liverpool Echo, Alexander-Arnold revealed his desire to captain the six-time European champions one day, and he has insisted that negotiations over a new deal will rumble on in the background without being played out in public.
Alexander-Arnold makes major Liverpool contract admission
© Imago
"I have always said I want to captain the club, that is an aim of mine and a goal of mine, (but) whether that happens is out of my hands," the right-back told the publication.
"Look, I have been at the club 20 years now, 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 be a Liverpool player this season (as a minimum) is what I will say."
Alexander-Arnold has already won eight major honours in seven different competitions with Liverpool, collecting a pair of EFL Cup trophies in addition to the Premier League, Club World Cup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and Community Shield.
The right-back affirmed that Liverpool's prospects of silverware under Arne Slot would be key to his decision whether to sign a new contract, though, seemingly leaving the door open to a future switch to perennial Champions League winners Real Madrid.
"The most important thing is always trophies, if I am honest. I want to win trophies, I am a player who is highly motivated by trophies and winning things and being elite," Alexander-Arnold added.
Alexander-Arnold reveals "main factor" in Liverpool contract decision
© Imago
"So that is probably the main factor of anything, if you have a personality that is elite, who wants to win and will do anything to win, then that is what drives me.
"We were close to the title last season and we got a cup. The quad was on for a while, I suppose, the signs were there. This season we are looking really good, it is still early days, but we need a lot of consistency and to beat a lot of teams over the course of this season.
"Then you have the other cups, the Champions League and everything that comes around it. It will be difficult but we are looking to win as many trophies as we can."
Alexander-Arnold registered his 100th goal involvement in a Liverpool shirt in the weekend's 3-0 win over Bournemouth, setting up Luis Diaz's second of the match to make it 19 goals and 81 assists in 316 appearances for the Merseyside giants.
Slot's men now prepare to face West Ham United in Wednesday's EFL Cup third-round clash, although Alexander-Arnold will likely be dropped to the bench for that game, allowing his understudy Conor Bradley to earn a rare start.
Ben Knapton
