Real Madrid are ‘angry’ with Trent Alexander-Arnold after negotiations with the Liverpool star have reportedly slowed in recent weeks.

The European champions’ interest in Alexander-Arnold is a cloud that continues to hang over Liverpool, who could lose one of its star men for nothing at the end of the season. Real saw a bid for the player turned down on New Year’s Eve and it seems increasingly likely that Alexander-Arnold’s only chance of joining Los Blancos will be when his contract expires at the end of the season.

With less than six months of his deal remaining, the right-back is free to begin official talks with foreign clubs, although in reality behind-the-scenes conversations could happen at any stage.

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While many still expect Liverpool’s no.66 to end up in the Spanish capital, reports in France have suggested that talks between the player’s representatives and Real have stalled.

Sky France claims the club have identified a ‘plan B’ in Joshua Kimmich and have reached out to the Bayern Munich star’s camp in an effort to improve negotiations with Alexander-Arnold and ‘finally reach an agreement’. Kimmich’s contract is also set to expire this summer and Real want to ‘keep the door open’ to the German international.

The report adds that the 29-year-old would prefer a move to Real and views it ‘above all other contending clubs’. The news comes just two days after a report in Caught Offside stated that Liverpool had ‘made a move’ to sign Kimmich, an experienced player who has earned nearly 100 Germany caps and has won eight Bundesliga titles.

With an ability to operate at right-back and in midfield, it’s clear why Kimmich is being linked with a move to several of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester City, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

For now, Liverpool will be focused on securing the future of Alexander-Arnold. The defender provided another assist in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Ipswich Town and has bounced back impressively since his woeful display against Manchester United at the start of the month. In fact, since that fixture, the academy graduate has contributed a goal and two assists from four starts.