Liverpool boss Arne Slot has refused to offer any guarantees whether Trent Alexander-Arnold will still be at Anfield at the end of the January transfer window.
Alexander-Arnold is one of three key players out of contract at the end of the season, along with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
The England international has been heavily linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, who have already made an attempt to sign the full-back in the winter transfer window.
Los Blancos reportedly made an approach on New Year's Eve, which was 'emphatically' rejected by the Premier League leaders.
There has been speculation that Real Madrid could return with a second bid before the transfer window shuts on February 3.
© Imago
Slot non-committal over Alexander-Arnold future
Slot was reluctant to offer any guarantees over Alexander-Arnold's future when he was asked about whether the full-back would still be at the club at the end of the transfer window.
"I am convinced that he is playing for us on Sunday and I think it is so difficult in football to talk about what happens in a month or in six months," Slot told reporters ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Manchester United.
"You can also ask me the question: 'Are you convinced that Virgil [van Dijk] and Mo [Salah] are here next season?
"It is such a difficult question to answer because there is hardly any long term in football, especially not for a manager, so your only focus is on the short term.
"The only thing I do know is that he [Alexander-Arnold] is fully focused and ready to play for us on Sunday and as long as he is here."
© Imago
Could contract uncertainty help Liverpool in title bid?
There is a potential that the uncertainty surrounding Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah's futures could prove to be a distraction in the title race.
However, Slot feels that the situation could actually work to Liverpool's advantage in their bid to win the Premier League title for the first time since 2019-20.
"Maybe it's even helpful," Slot said. "Because if the talk is only about how great we are doing then maybe every week I have to have a meeting to tell the players it is not perfect yet and we have to do better.
"Now it is also about different things, not everyone telling them how great they are, so sometimes that can help as well. But for me it doesn't distract at all.
"I think we get enough credit for the way we play and here in the building we don't even talk about this [speculation]. This is part of the business we're in. It doesn't distract me at all and I don't think for the players either."
Liverpool's three out-of-contract stars will try to help the club claim a fourth consecutive league win in Sunday's meeting with Man United.
The Reds head into the weekend with a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after winning 14, drawing three and losing one of their 18 league matches this season.
