Liverpool have reportedly tabled an enormous £78m contract to Trent Alexander-Arnold in an attempt to stop the defender joining Real Madrid for free in the summer.
The Merseysiders look like clear favourites to win the Premier League title given Arsenal dropped points yet again when they drew 1-1 with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday evening.
Arne Slot has so far only lost one of his 27 games in charge of the Reds and has guided the club to first place in both the English top flight and the Champions League.
However, Real Madrid have apparently made official approaches for the signature of Alexander-Arnold, who is out of contract at the end of the season and is now free to speak to teams abroad about a potential move.
The Mirror have reported that Liverpool have offered Trent a five-year contract worth a lucrative £78m, figures that would put his weekly wage in the region of £300,000.
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Liverpool or Real Madrid?
Liverpool have already faced Los Blancos in the Champions League this term, emerging as 2-0 victors on November 27 at Anfield in a match that the hosts thoroughly outplayed their opponents.
It would not be unfair to suggest that Real Madrid seem to be further behind Liverpool in their project, especially as the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior have struggled to form a cohesive partnership in attack.
Alexander-Arnold is at his best when he is able to contribute in the final third and play through opposition defences, and it is difficult to see how he can showcase his best level when Los Blancos' attack is still inconsistent.
At Liverpool, the defender is central to the team's build-up and chance creation, and he even scored last Sunday against West Ham United in a 5-0 thrashing of the Hammers.
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Should Liverpool cash in on Alexander-Arnold?
Liverpool are set to take on fierce rivals Manchester United in the Premier League at Anfield on Sunday, and Alexander-Arnold is certain to be selected in the starting lineup given his good form.
However, in the build-up to the match Slot has had to answer questions about the defender's future at the club, with Real Madrid's offer proving to be somewhat of a distraction for the Dutchman in press conferences.
Speculation about Alexander-Arnold contract has so far not impacted Liverpool's quest for the Premier League title, but the longer the situation remains unresolved, the more chance it has to disrupt the Reds' season.
If the right-back has no intention of signing an extension, then perhaps it would not be unwise to give Conor Bradley the chance to shine in defence.
Bradley is unlikely to provide Liverpool as much on the ball as Alexander-Arnold, but he is a capable defender and harmony amongst the team should be Slot's number one priority.
Lewis Nolan
