Liverpool are 'desperate' as Richard Hughes makes Trent Alexander-Arnold deal a 'priority'

Liverpool are said to be ‘desperate’ right now as Richard Hughes makes one deal an absolute priority in the transfer window.

The Athletic make it clear that Liverpool don't want to mess around when it comes to Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract. They're said to be 'desperate' to avoid a situation this season where the Scouser can leave on a free transfer.

As things stand, Alexander-Arnold could agree a free transfer in just five months' time. That would only be with clubs outside of England, of course, but Real Madrid are supposedly lining up a move.

And so Richard Hughes has made it a priority to get Alexander-Arnold signed for the long-term. Though, he's currently away on holiday, having been at the Euros, and won't be back with Liverpool for another couple of weeks.

There's still a bit of a wait, then, to see if the club can wrap-up this contract and remove a major headache.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract

Alexander-Arnold's contract really should be the priority at Liverpool right now. He's the most valuable player at the club and the one who should be at the centre of things for the foreseeable future.

The bigger question around it all is how has it gotten to this point. For the club to allow his contract to get this close to expiry is outrageous and he should have been tied down long ago.

Instead, Liverpool are left negotiating with an irreplaceable player from a weak position. He can effectively choose where he plays going forward, and the Reds will just have to hope that's Anfield.

If it isn't, then this is a disaster and the worst for 20 years when the same thing happened with Michael Owen. He, of course, also went to Real Madrid but on a cut-price transfer that saw Liverpool secure £8m and Antonio Nunez for one of their greatest-ever talents.

Fingers crossed history doesn't repeat itself.