Liverpool legend admits Trent Alexander-Arnold fear after talking to Real Madrid target

Liverpool has been told it has already left it too late to solve Trent Alexander-Arnold's future.

The Reds right-back continues to run his current deal down ahead of next summer and will leave on a free transfer at the end of the current campaign if he fails to extend his stay on Merseyside.

But with Real Madrid continuing to be linked with a move for the 26-year-old in 2025, former Anfield hero John Aldridge believes Liverpool has missed the boat on tying him down to fresh terms.

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And that's despite admitting he recently held talks with the academy graduate over his current situation, who admitted he has been enjoying life under new manager Arne Slot so far this season.

Speaking to SundayWorld, Aldridge said: “Trent Alexander-Arnold will be free to talk to other clubs about a free transfer in a few weeks - and I fear Liverpool may have left it too late to tie him down to a new contract."

The 66-year-old added: “I had a chat with Trent a couple of weeks back and he is really enjoying playing under manager Slot this season. There was some chat that he wasn’t happy about being substituted, but he told me that wasn’t a problem and he loves Slot’s attention to detail in all aspects of his work.

“A lad like Trent might not want to leave Liverpool, but you only have one career and the cash on offer elsewhere may be too much to resist. I hope I’m wrong as we all want to see Alexander-Arnold continuing his fantastic story at Liverpool, but he has a massive decision to make over the next few weeks and it may be that he decides the time has come to move on.”

Alexander-Arnold has started the new campaign in impressive fashion for Liverpool, providing two assists and helping to keep seven clean sheets in all competitions, but that has only helped his stock rise ahead of next summer.

Despite the defender appearing relatively relaxed over his situation, and previously admitting his desire to following in the footsteps of some of his previous captains, the signs aren't looking good.

Former Premier League player and manager Tim Sherwood recently claimed Liverpool has "no chance" of keeping Alexander-Arnold next summer, with plenty to tempt the 26-year-old to Spain.

Sherwood did, however, suggest the club's good start to the season will go a long way in keeping Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah at the club, with the duo also out of contract at the end of the current campaign.