Carlo Ancelotti 'sorry' about Trent Alexander-Arnold amid secret Real Madrid meeting claim

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the talk of two cities, as Liverpool and Real Madrid prepare to lock horns in the Champions League once again. For one he remains a key player and the other, perhaps a dream transfer target.

No secret has been made of the 26-year-old's uncertain future at boyhood club Liverpool. On the verge of December all has been quiet on the contract front as negotiations continue with the utmost privacy, and next summer's July 1 date remains the one supporters of the club are dreading.

Alexander-Arnold would be in line to start against the Spanish opposition tonight, were it not for the hamstring injury he has been working back to full fitness from over the past two-and-a-half weeks. Conor Bradley therefore seems set to be given the task of handling Kylian Mbappe.

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Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid transfer rumours are at their height but for the Reds, the task remains the same. Here, the ECHO brings together the latest about his future ahead of the Champions League clash.

'I'm sorry' - Ancelotti answers

Speaking at Anfield during last night's pre-match press conference, Ancelotti evaded the discussion of Real Madrid's possible interest in the full-back.

"I'm sorry but I cannot think about Alexander-Arnold," he answered. "He is not my player."

Secret meeting

The latest unsettling rumour to arrive from Spain, just hours before the two teams meet at Anfield, is that chiefs from both clubs are preparing for a sit down meeting in Liverpool today before the match to discuss Alexander-Arnold.

Saying the Spaniard's interest is 'more than just a reality', Marca claims that this lunch is to clear up any doubts either side have and make sure both sides know the truth of where they stand around the England international's future.

They say that there is 'total understanding' between the hierarchies at both clubs, going as far to even suggest they are 'friendly'.

'It would be disrespectful' - Bellingham

Last night's media duties also saw Jude Bellingham answer questions. The Real Madrid midfielder will be playing at Anfield for the first time in his career tonight.

Also asked about Alexander-Arnold's future and his well-known Three Lions team-mate potentially joining him at club level, he replied: "I'll be playing alongside him next season for England anyway. That will be a guarantee.

"But he's a Liverpool player and it would be disrespectful to come to his home today with a big game tomorrow and talk about something that could be misconstrued so it's important to take that pressure off him. I want him to do really well normally. Just not tomorrow."

Contract latest

With no change since the start of the season, Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool contract remains set to expire on July 1, 2025.

As he is over the age of 23, from January he will become eligible to negotiate with clubs abroad over a free transfer once the deal expires. The Reds would be forced to reveal their hand at this point over recouping the best transfer fee they can mid-season and losing an influential player, or keeping him with the risk of losing him for nothing at the end of the season.

Of course, that is unless a breakthrough is announced before the end of the calendar year.

Back in October, the player said: "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. This one won’t be either.

"I have always said I want to captain the club. That is an aim of mine and a goal of mine, whether that happens is out of my hands, to be honest. I want to be a Liverpool player this season (as a minimum) is what I will say."

With talks continuing in secret, the unanswered question almost two months down the line is whether Alexander-Arnold has actually been presented with anything to sign, as Mohamed Salah certainly hasn't been by his own admission.