I think the world knows what Trent Alexander-Arnold will do - it's the worst kept secret

Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson says that Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave the Reds for Real Madrid next summer and that the transfer is the "worst kept secret in the world". The right-back's contract expires in June and he can officially speak to clubs abroad from January 1 to agree a pre-contract agreement.

Anfield chiefs have long tried to tie Alexander-Arnold down to a new deal but with no agreement struck and Madrid's interest now seemingly clear, Liverpool supporters are becoming increasingly concerned that the West Derby-born player will depart the club.

And Lawrenson, who played 356 times for the Reds in a glittering seven-year career in the 80s, says that the contracts of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are the bigger concerns for Liverpool.

READ MORE: Anfield truth clear but major Liverpool issue remains after what Brighton supporters witnessed

READ MORE: 'I will never forget' - Mohamed Salah drops clear hint in rare statement about Liverpool future

He said: “Van Dijk is the most important player to sign. He’s the rock of the defence, sorts out the dressing room, all those kinds of things. Still a top, top player. And then I would go with Salah after him.

“I think Trent will let his contract run out. I think the world knows, and it's probably the worst-kept secret in the world, that his big mate (Jude Bellingham) plays for Real Madrid. He's an intelligent boy, very well schooled, etc. He might just turn around and go, ‘you know what boys, I'm going to go and play in Spain’. Because why not?

“Because don’t they win the Champions League every year, to widen your horizons, all those other kinds of things. It's only a gut thing but I hear it more and more often now that they might have already had a conversation. So I wouldn't be surprised.

“And Conor Bradley looks like he's going to be a really good player as well in Trent's position. So it wouldn't be the end of the world, would it?"

Lawrenson went on to warn Alexander-Arnold that he may find it difficult should he decide to leave Liverpool, with Luis Suarez one of the rare examples of players who have gone on to succeed after forcing their way out the club.

Speaking to Gambling.com, he added: “There aren't many Liverpool players who've gone early and actually come back to haunt Liverpool. I think you might say Suarez. But after that, I'm not sure who else there is. They've all been replaced, so you can get replacements.

“(Phillippe) Coutinho was brilliant at Liverpool and then he turned up and he looked like he couldn't drive a milk cart. Steve McManaman is another one.”