Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract decision CLEAR after Fulham performance

Liverpool's high-flying approach to the season has been ever so slightly taken down a peg.

The Reds dropped points against Fulham this afternoon in a second consecutive draw in the Premier League.

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Although the team's mistakes against Newcastle were criminal, Liverpool's lacklustre performance against Fulham may in part be put down to Andy Robertson's red card in the opening 20 minutes of the game.

However, his counterpart at right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, had a torrid time of it against Harry Wilson and Antonee Robinson.

Of course, his role in the defence changed slightly after the sending-off, where he was required to attack that bit more in order for Liverpool to get themselves back into the game, but his defensive duties then subsequently were put on the back-burner and it was really obvious.

But even before the red card, Trent had been beaten down the right-flank by Robinson - one of Liverpool's transfer targets to replace Robertson - in a move which led to Fulham's opening goal.

Overall, he was off the pace today. And while there are a few reasons why this might be, one stands out more so than the others.

Dreaming of a move to Madrid?

Conor Bradley was unavailable for this game, after coming off injured against Real Madrid a few weeks ago. He is set to be sidelined until the New Year alongside Ibrahima Konate.

However, Trent's lack of an understudy never usually impacts his performances. He's solidified his place in the team over a number of years now. The only likelihood he ever gets replaced is because the manager wants to rotate the side, or if he's injured.

In a big game against a spirited Fulham team that only last week had taken points off Arsenal, Liverpool needed to be at their best. And so regardless of the red card, Liverpool's result can only be put down to the team not being good enough, with some blame needing to be headed Trent's way given he was a notable weakness in the side.

He failed to win a single ground/aerial duel, and although he made six long balls, per Sofascore. He just wasn't robust enough in his defending, which is bizarre given the conversations he's had with Arne Slot about focusing on becoming a more solid defender.

Trent's return from injury could be a factor, although after playing against Manchester City in his comeback game, he was then in his element against Newcastle and his performance against Girona was generally fine. Yet, today it appeared as if he'd met his match against Fulham.

Contrarily, it could however be that his contract situation is beginning to weigh him down.

Liverpool fans would be gutted if he left, but rumours of a move to Real Madrid have stayed consistent over the past few months. He is yet to make his decision, but the ongoing speculation might have started to get to him.

In an interview with journalist Melissa Reddy for Sky Sports, Trent's only comment on his contract situation was him relaying a quote that he had made earlier in the season, where he said: "I have been at the club 20 years now, I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public - and this one won't be either."

Now while his contract will not play out in public, the speculation around it certainly will, and that may well feed into his subconscious when he's playing on the pitch.

As one of Liverpool's own, the prospect of leaving for another club would certainly be a bold call, and it would go a long way to defining his legacy.

In contrast, it may simply have been a tough game where he came out in second place, but dealing with the pressure of such a big decision can't be easy, and as one of Liverpool's most senior defenders, Arne Slot will need him to be laser-focused on the pitch over the next few weeks while the club deals with an injury crisis.

Trent will be able to negotiate his own moves, should he want to, from January 1, and he does not become a free agent until the end of the season, although the club will soon be unable to stop him from making a pre-agreement with a team away from Merseyside.

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