Liverpool transfers: Arne Slot sending Alexander-Arnold contract message

Ex-Premier League striker Troy Deeney has weighed in on the discussion about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation.

Liverpool’s vice-captain has less than a year remaining on his contract at Anfield and can begin negotiating with clubs from abroad over a free transfer in January.

The 25-year-old, a boyhood Red, has been at Liverpool for his whole career after progressing through the team’s academy.

The full-back has started the season well after a mixed Euros campaign with England in which he was played out of position. The 29-capped star could play more minutes in his natural position now that England have a new manager.

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Deeney says: You better sign the contract

Former Watford striker Deeney believes that there may be more than meets the eye with Arne Slot’s recent substitutions and thinks that the Dutchman may have been trying to send a message to his vice-captain by taking him off for Conor Bradley in all three of Liverpool's opening games.

Deeney said on talkSPORT: “Are they planning for if Trent goes or are they actually saying to Trent – there is a contract, you better sign it or we’ll play this kid?”

There was a perceived disagreement between Trent and Slot after the right-back was substituted in Liverpool’s match against Brentford but any disagreements have since been settled and Alexander-Arnold looks committed on the pitch for Liverpool.

Trent thought he had scored his first goal of the season within the first 10 minutes of Liverpool’s 3-0 over Manchester United and emulated a famous celebration by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, but VAR ruled the goal out.

Liverpool’s contract calamity

Trent is not the only Liverpool player to be out of contract at the end of this season, captain Virgil van Dijk and talisman Mohamed Salah could also both be leaving Anfield for free at the close of this campaign.

Slot has so far remained cautious when talking to the media about the trio’s contracts, but it is believed that negotiations are set to start sooner rather than later.

When talking about contracts more generally, Deeney added: “A player will always try and look after themselves and a club will always try and look after themselves – it’s just the nature of the beast.”

Liverpool supporters will be hoping that the club can get on the same page as the out-of-contract trio and that extensions can be worked out as soon as possible.