Right-back RETURNS from loan as Real Madrid move for Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool are facing the prospect of losing Trent Alexander-Arnold - either in summer or in this January transfer window.

The 26-year-old is out of contract in summer 2025 and no breakthrough has yet been made in negotiations over a new deal.

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Real Madrid are lurking in the background, with it believed that Trent would favour a move to the Bernabeu if he is to leave Anfield.

Los Blancos made an attempt to sign the right-back just before the January transfer window opened but Liverpool declined to enter into negotiations.

There remains a threat of a second bid however but Madrid are reported to be prepared to spend only €10 million on the England man this winter. Failing that, they are expected to approach Alexander-Arnold directly in an effort to get him to sign a pre-contract agreement.

Calvin Ramsay BACK with Liverpool

Beyond Trent, right-back cover at Liverpool is currently scarce. Specialist Conor Bradley is the senior back-up and is currently injured.

Makeshift right-back Joe Gomez is also injured and there are no guarantees he remains with Liverpool past the end of the season after extensive transfer links last year. Centre-back Jarell Quansah struggled in the position in recent outings.

But right-back numbers are set to be boosted at least in the short term by the return of Calvin Ramsay, who was on loan at Wigan Athletic during the first half of the season.

The 21-year-old Scottish international failed to get the first-team football he required at the League One side and arrived back at the AXA Training Centre on Friday, January 3. That’s according to James Pearce of the Athletic, who claims the plan now is to find another loan destination for Ramsay in the second half of the season.

Ramsay joined Liverpool from Aberdeen in 2022 for a fee that could reach £6.5m but has yet to make a decisive impact at Anfield. He has played only twice for the first team - both appearances coming back in 2022 - against Derby County in the EFL Cup and Napoli in the Champions League.

Wigan manager Shaun Maloney only opted to start his compatriot three times in League One and Ramsay has not appeared in a matchday squad since October. It follows equally underwhelming loan spells at Bolton and Preston last season for the defender, whose contract expires in 2027.

Let’s hope Ramsay has a productive loan spell soon.

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