Liverpool legend sends FSG remarkable Trent Alexander-Arnold contract message

Liverpool will cope well with the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer, claims former star Mark Lawrenson.

The England full-back continues to be linked with Real Madrid as his contract at Anfield nears the end. And just like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, there is no prospect of new terms yet.

But Lawrenson, the former Match of the Day expert, believes the loss of Alexander-Arnold will not be a major blow to head coach Arne Slot as there are already two top alternatives in the squad.

That includes Northern Irish youngster Conor Bradley, who won plaudits for his ferocious tackle on Kylian Mbappe during Wednesday night's Champions League win over Real Madrid, and the versatile but injury-prone Joe Gomez.

“Conor Bradley has done well and that's because he plays with a lot of freedom,” Lawrenson told Paddy Power. “Unfortunately for him, he knows that when Trent Alexander-Arnold is back from injury he will go straight into the team, meaning Bradley is not under any pressure when he plays.

“If Trent leaves Liverpool this summer the club would be absolutely fine with their replacements as they have Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez who are both great players.”

Alexander-Arnold has remained tight-lipped about his future amid ongoing talks over a move to Real and a partnership with close friend Jude Bellingham.

“I want to be a Liverpool player this season [as a minimum] is what I will say,” the 26-year-old said in September. “I have been at the club for 20 years now. I've signed four or five contract extensions and none of them have played out in public, and this one won't be either.”

“It's a huge opportunity, I think, against a very good team, one of the best teams in Europe that has dominated a lot of games in recent years,” the Dutchman said. “But this is a huge opportunity for us to show them what we are made of and that is what we intend to do.