Real Madrid reportedly reckon Liverpool will cave into pressure which will lead to the club allowing Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave in the January transfer window.

The Reds have rejected a bid for Alexander-Arnold, who is out of contract in the summer, from Real Madrid, who view the Liverpool full-back as their top transfer target. While Liverpool has no intention of selling the 26-year-old in January, they could be set to lose Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid on a free come the summer.

He has been offered a new deal to extend his time at Anfield, as have, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, but it remains unclear where all three will play next season. And it has been reported in Spain that Real Madrid believe it has put pressure on Liverpool which will eventually lead them to sell Alexander-Arnold later this month.

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Spanish outlet AS reports the reigning European champion believes Liverpool will ultimately bend to the pressure of wanting to get a fee for Alexander-Arnold instead of losing him for free in the summer. From Liverpool's perspective, it is a difficult decision to have to make.

In the age of PSR, a move to sell Alexander-Arnold would represent pure profit due to him having come through Liverpool's academy, something which will factor into the Reds decision making should they even entertain the notion of the right-back leaving this month.

But, on the flipside, Liverpool are in line to achieve something spectacular this term in both the Premier League and Champions League. They have lost just once this season, sit six points clear of Arsenal in second place with a game in hand on the Gunners and are undefeated in the Champions League.

The idea that getting $10m to $20m in for Alexander-Arnold, who is a world class player, would be worth it to Liverpool at this stage of the season is laughable. Yes, the Reds might feel a bit of pressure to sell Alexander-Arnold, but at that price, which represents a fraction of his true value, why should they just let him join Real Madrid this month? If Liverpool want to go on to do something special this season, they need all their best players available to them. Selling Alexander-Arnold would be madness.

Liverpool.com says: "It will hurt Liverpool fans if Alexander-Arnold does leave, which looks increasingly likely to happen in the summer. There's no way, at any price, Liverpool should consider selling him in January. If he wants to leave, he can do so in six months. Until then, he will have to give his all to the club who have an excellent chance to win the Premier League this season."