Liverpool have been informed that there is still a possibility Trent Alexander-Arnold could stay at Anfield.
As of now, the 26-year-old is set to leave the club as a free agent this summer when his contract expires. He has been heavily linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, with reports suggesting a deal is nearing completion.
However, former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes Alexander-Arnold could reconsider his decision under one key condition. Speaking on BBC’s Football Focus, Warnock suggested that the right-back may be waiting for Liverpool to offer him a salary comparable to the club’s highest earners, such as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
Quoted by The Mirror, Warnock said: “I still think there’s an opportunity for him to stay. I think he’s essentially saying, ‘If you want me, you’ll have to pay for me.’”
He added: “Because Trent is a local lad, he won’t be earning what Van Dijk and Salah are on. He’ll be thinking, ‘Pay me what they’re getting paid.’ It could simply be a matter of closing that wage gap to make it happen.”
Warnock also pointed out the frustration among Liverpool fans that Alexander-Arnold might leave on a free transfer, despite having been a key player for the club over the past eight years after rising through the academy ranks.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports journalist Melissa Reddy recently reported that neither Liverpool nor Real Madrid has made significant progress in negotiations since January, with both clubs reportedly surprised by recent speculation. She confirmed that no deal has been signed or formally communicated.
Liverpool’s next Premier League fixture sees them face arch-rivals Everton at Anfield on Wednesday night.