Trent Alexander-Arnold has underlined his true feelings for Liverpool despite continued uncertainty over his future. Along with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold is one of three key players whose contracts are due to expire at the end of the season.

All three are free to negotiate and sign pre-contract agreements with clubs outside of England in the New Year. Alexander-Arnold has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, with reports in Spain claiming that a summer move on a free is already in the pipeline, with just finer details to be agreed.

However, the ECHO reported on Saturday that, as things stood, Alexander-Arnold had not communicated to Liverpool that he has chosen to join Real Madrid. It is clearly a tough decision for the homegrown right-back, who has spent 20 years at his boyhood club.

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Alexander-Arnold displayed his continuing affection and respect for the club’s traditions ahead of the Boxing Day win over Leicester City. During the club-produced Inside Anfield feature on YouTube, Alexander-Arnold was one of the few players to touch the Welcome to Anfield sign as the players went down the tunnel, along with skipper Van Dijk.

He then played his part as the Reds came from behind to defeat Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side 3-1. With Liverpool riding high well clear at the top of the Premier League heading into 2025, Arne Slot has faced repeated questions about the out-of-contract trio.

While Alexander-Arnold has given little away, Salah has been very open about his situation, revealing on several occasions that he and the club were still far from agreeing a new deal.

However, Alexander-Arnold appeared to react to the speculation by making a talking gesture after scoring the fourth goal in Sunday's 5-0 win at West Ham. Speaking after the game, Slot insisted speculation over his future was not proving a distraction.

The Dutchman told Sky Sports: "No, I don't think it's negative at all. He's playing really well, scored a great goal and the way he celebrated his goal probably tells you enough. I don't think I have to say much more about it.

“I'm really happy with Trent, just as happy as I am with Mo and with Virgil. So for me, there's no difference. For the outside world, maybe there's a bit more things happening around Trent in the media than with the other two, but I'm happy with all three of them at the moment.”