Trent Alexander-Arnold's future is up in the air, with Real Madrid said to be interested in signing the Liverpool star after he entered the final year of his contract

Liverpool have been slammed over their "ridiculous" handling of Trent Alexander-Arnold's future, with the defender's contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Alexander-Arnold is one of several key players who will be able to leave the club for free next summer, with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah also out of contract in June. Real Madrid have been heavily linked with a move for Alexander-Arnold and Jason Cundy has questioned why Liverpool have allowed their vice-captain to enter the final year of his deal.

"Trent is the one that is a head-scratcher for me," the former Chelsea defender said on talkSPORT. "He's 25/26, to allow him to go, that is ridiculous for me. His contract is going to expire. How are we having this conversation, why is this conversation taking place?

"This conversation is obsolete, because the contract, as far as we're aware, hasn't taken place. I'm stunned, we're in October now. If you value the player enough at your football club, they should not go into the final two years of their contract.

"20 years he's been at the football club, he's very much part of the future of the football club. For us to be having a conversation about what might happen to him on the first of January... he can sign a pre-contract with Real Madrid on the first of Jan.

"That's three months away, think about that. That is insane. Walk for nothing." Alexander-Arnold has remained tight-lipped about his future so far, stating last month: "I have always said I want to captain the club, that is an aim of mine and a goal of mine, (but) whether that happens is out of my hands.

Real Madrid have been heavily linked with the Liverpool star ( Image:

"The most important thing is always trophies, if I am honest. "I want to win trophies, I am a player who is highly motivated by trophies and winning things and being elite. So that is probably the main factor of anything, if you have a personality that is elite, who wants to win and will do anything to win, then that is what drives me."

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