We all knew it was coming, although we perhaps didn’t expect Real Madrid to step things up quite so dramatically.

It wasn’t quite a happy new year for Liverpool fans as news of a bid for Trent Alexander-Arnold emerged during the final hours of 2024. The Reds of course immediately rejected it, but that will do nothing to ease any fears of the 26-year-old leaving Anfield soon.

Already, there are suggestions that Real is plotting another move for the right-back this month. Liverpool will no doubt stay resolute in its stance as it looks to avoid being weakened amid a title push, but the Bernabeu club’s intentions have been made crystal clear, and more often than not, they get exactly what they want.

READ MORE: Real Madrid names its maximum price in attempt to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold immediately

READ MORE: Liverpool told to accept Trent Alexander-Arnold offer in blunt six-word message

• Real Madrid names its maximum price in attempt to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold immediately

• Real Madrid star's attitude gives massive hint into Trent Alexander-Arnold truth

Even if Liverpool turns down more offers this month, Real knows it can get Alexander-Arnold signed to a pre-contract agreement. In fact, The Athletic has claimed that the Spanish giant expects him to do just that.

That could well give credence to Jamie Carragher’s theory that this is all part of Alexander-Arnold’s plan to get his move to Madrid.

“I love Trent as a lad & a player, but his team would’ve told Real Madrid to bid & also would’ve known LFC would turn it down,” Carragher posted on X after news of the bid emerged.

“It’s to try & cover themselves when he leaves for free. Again it’s something the club/fans don’t need with a huge game coming up.”

Whether that is the truth, only Alexander-Arnold and his representatives will know. One thing’s for certain though, it presents Arne Slot with an unnecessary headache.

The Liverpool boss clearly won’t want his side weakened amid a title push, but even if Alexander-Arnold stays put for the rest of the season, there is the danger of the ongoing speculation disturbing the momentum that has been built up over the first half of the season.

If it emerges at any point before the end of the season that Alexander-Arnold has signed a pre-contract agreement with Real, fans will not be happy. FSG would no doubt bear the brunt of some of the anger, but already there are indications that fans are turning on one of their own.

There have been calls for Alexander-Arnold to be stripped of the vice-captaincy if indeed he does secure a move to Spain before the end of the season. It is a big call for Slot to make, and one that would risk upsetting the dressing room, but it’s one that might well be unavoidable.

It would come as a big blow to Alexander-Arnold, who has spoken on a number of occasions of his desire to become Liverpool captain. Obviously, that won’t happen while Virgil van Dijk is still at the club, but not getting the chance to don the armband again before departing would leave a bitter taste for all involved.

Sadly, it may be the right call, with Carragher having previously explained perfectly why Alexander-Arnold is in danger of tarnishing his legacy. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that, but either way, this is not an ideal situation for Slot.