Liverpool have ONE choice with Trent Alexander-Arnold - anything else would be CRIMINAL

Liverpool's academy starlet who has reached levels that no one could've predicted is on the verge of possibly leaving the club this season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract extension negotiations have been unsuccessful so far, and from January 1st he can actively consider moves away from the club.

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While all Liverpool fans are still incredibly hopeful that Trent will renew his contract and remain a huge part of the club for years to come, the reality at this stage is that he may well be destined to leave.

It is already reckless from the club that Trent has not received improved terms yet and it would be unthinkable to suggest that negotiations have only started now - it is likely that this decision has been postponed by Trent for quite some time now.

At 26 years old, the Scouse right-back has the world at his feet, possessing a world-class ability that makes him such a prized possession that he would slot straight into practically every team in the world.

Subsequently, Trent knows his worth and while some current reports suggest that he is hoping to stay, others suggest that he is open to a move elsewhere, to showcase his ability for a new club for the first time in his career.

Trent - a tried and tested right-back

The myth that Trent 'can't defend' still lingers amongst some fanbases and pundits, and yet he has won everything there is to win in club football for Liverpool.

His defensive stats are vastly improved from previous years and he still has the ambition and drive to be that bit more stable - working with Arne Slot this season in a more brutal fashion than he has before.

His attacking numbers have broken countless records for Liverpool, as he looks almost destined to be Liverpool's defender with the most goal contributions in the club's history and his Premier League legacy is threatened only by his teammate Andy Robertson.

And his under-utilisation for England is no more, having featured in all four of the games this season under interim manager Lee Carsley, taking home the man of the match award on all three of the occasions where one was given out.

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Liverpool need Trent to stay

Whilst Irish international Connor Bradley has risen up the ranks over the past 12 months, it is integral that Liverpool keep Trent at Anfield.

His talent is unrivalled, he is undoubtedly a world-class asset - and has been for a number of years now - and the significance of a move to a rival club cannot be understated.

The Reds have had plenty of outstanding players over the years and the academy has been responsible for many of them. Homegrown talents should be an essential part of the teams that they originate from and the prospect of not seeing Trent captaining Liverpool at some point seems wrong.

Some players are sent on loan in order to grow and gain the necessary experience to play at the highest level. Others are sold because they don't fit into the manager's philosophy. If Trent were to leave, even despite the best wishes of fans and pundits, then it would show a clear inability for the club to keep hold of their greatest assets.

And yet, as uncertainty grows around Trent's long-term future, Liverpool find themselves in a dangerous position that the club is single-handedly at fault for.

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The potential for Liverpool to cash in

Whilst January 1st is the date from which Trent can negotiate with potential suitors, his contract is not formally up until June 2025. This puts the club in an impossible dilemma.

Real Madrid, alongside most clubs in world football, would jump at the chance of signing the right-back, and when the January transfer window opens, the possibility opens up of securing a fee for the player's departure.

This would obviously negate the likelihood of any further negotiations, but as per MARCA's most recent report, Liverpool are well aware of the fact that Trent isn't going to renew his contract, so Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards may be fighting a lost cause.

But where does this leave us? £20million pounds may to some be better than nothing for losing such a monumental player, but is it really worth it?

Read more: Sell Alexander-Arnold in January or else he will leave for free - Nicol warns Liverpool

Never take advantage of Trent Alexander-Arnold

For years, England mismanaged Trent under Gareth Southgate, with the most talented right-back at the world left to feature in midfield cameos and conjecture about his ability to play left-back to facilitate Kyle Walker.

And yet on Merseyside, Trent always delivered when given the responsibility to play week in, week out as the Scouse representative on the pitch for the Liverpool faithful.

Who could begrudge a player with Trent's gifts wanting to leave after completing everything he set out to do at the start of his career? I know I certainly couldn't, especially given how respectful he has been regarding all of this contract conjecture.

His future plans revolve around winning as many trophies as possible and having no regrets about his career when he leaves the field for the last time. Hardly selfish ambitions for Liverpool's local lad.

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So to even consider selling Trent prematurely before his contract ends seems to me as disrespectful, nor do I think that is how Trent would want to close his Liverpool chapter after nine years in the Reds' first-team.

Arne Slot has got Liverpool off to a remarkable start across all competitions, winning nine of the club's ten matches, whilst only conceding four goals.

After their endeavour to win the lot last season, Liverpool lost one of their greatest managers of all time in Jurgen Klopp, who bowed out in the right way - in front of a jam-packed Anfield on the last day of the season.

Should Trent decide he needs to move on after this season and try something new, it seems only right that he receives the farewell he deserves.