Real Madrid has been a thorn in the side of Liverpool for a long time.

Prior to this season’s 2-0 win at Anfield, the Reds had failed to win any of the last eight meetings between the clubs, which includes three Champions League final losses and two separate eliminations from the competition.

Real has also developed an unwanted penchant for pinching the club’s star names: Steve McManaman, Michael Owen and Xabi Alonso, among others. There could be another name added to that list this summer, with the Spanish giants keen to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold.

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Barely a day goes by without an update on the transfer saga, especially since a New Year’s Eve bid for the player was knocked back by Liverpool. But according to Marca, Real have 'accepted' the right-back moving to Madrid this month is off the table. Los Blancos have reportedly ‘ruled out’ a second bid for Alexander-Arnold and may have to wait until his contract expires at the end of the season.

But, he’s not the only Liverpool defender linked with a move to the Bernabeu. Caught Offside claims Real is ‘circling’ for center-back Ibrahima Konate.

The former RB Leipzig man admitted this week that he is in talks with the club over a new deal, with the Caught Offside report stating Liverpool hopes to reach an agreement soon given his current contact expires in 2026. The outlet adds Real wants to strengthen its back four and have been ‘following Konate closely’.

The 25-year-old’s experience is said to be seen as a major strength, while Paris Saint-Germain is also keen on Liverpool’s no.5.

Konate has established himself as a regular under Arne Slot and this week admitted his partnership with Virgil van Dijk could be the best in Europe at present.

The French international has played 22 times this season, with a knee injury hampering him during December. Slot said on Friday that Konate is able to play multiple games in a week once again, but pinpointed one area of his game that could improve.

“I think one of the things he could improve, in my opinion, is his play with the ball, bringing the ball out from the back,” the Liverpool boss opined. “I would not say he is poor in that, but he could improve, he could go to another level, and I think he works really hard to improve that, and I already see this improvement.”