Jamie Carragher worried that Real Madrid could try to sign ‘perfect’ Liverpool player next year

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Arne Slot and the new Liverpool hierarchy face a tricky few months and three key players enter the final years of their contracts.

With Jurgen Klopp and a handful of other members of the backroom staff departing Anfield this summer, the Reds’ top brass have some important decisions to make.

The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are yet to put pen to paper on new contracts and could leave the club for free next summer, a scenario Liverpool would be eager to avoid as the trio are vital cogs of the club’s spine.

And Jamie Carragher believes one of these players could be on his way to Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer.

Carragher reveals when he thinks Real Madrid will move for Trent Alexander-Arnold

While Carragher allayed fears that the La Liga giants could launch a move for Alexander-Arnold this year due to Dani Carvajal’s presence, he predicts the situation will change next summer as the Spanish right-back enters the twilight years of his career.

In an exclusive interview with Sport Bible, the Liverpool legend said: “You’ve got to remember Real Madrid have got a decent right-back, he’s just won the Euros, and I think he’s won the European Cup about six times.

“He’s not a dud. My fear is that Real Madrid are thinking of signing him in another year’s time because I don’t think they’re ready to offload [Dani] Carvajal just yet. Maybe in a year’s time – who knows?”

Alexander-Arnold has been spotted on holiday with Jude Bellingham in the USA this summer. With speculation surrounding his Liverpool future and links to Real Madrid dominating the back pages, Carragher believes the boyhood Scouser is playing a game to get a bigger contract as he was spotted signing a Real Madrid shirt.

He continued: “I think it’s all negotiation. With Jude, signing a Real Madrid top or whatever. I think it’s all part of the game. I didn’t play these games and I actually think I should have done, I’d have probably got a bit more money out of it!

“I only used to go in, have a chat, say what I wanted, Liverpool would say what they wanted and we’d meet in the middle. I wish I would have been putting all this stuff out myself! I’m sure it’ll get sorted out.”

Liverpool will be keen to tie down Alexander-Arnold to new contract

The 25-year-old, who Carragher once described as the ‘perfect’ full-back for the modern game, has been an indispensable asset for Liverpool since making his debut under Klopp in 2017.

Alexander-Arnold has won the lot at Liverpool and could well be tempted by a move to Real Madrid where he’d play alongside one of his closest mates in Bellingham. However, with the Reds preparing for a new era under Slot, he could well take to the Dutchman’s football like a duck to water.

The rest of the Liverpool squad have adapted well to Slot’s possession-based brand of football, with the Reds boss speaking about the need to ‘kill’ teams with their passes in midfield. Alexander-Arnold’s skillset would be tailor-made for a set-up like this, with the Englishman capable of slotting in as a midfielder as well at right back.

Liverpool, for their part, will be completely reluctant to part with the 25-year-old under any circumstances and will be keen to tie him down for the long haul. However, Alexander-Arnold future could well depend on how Liverpool fare in the upcoming season.

If the Reds win a trophy or two and compete for the Premier League crown, he might look to stay as that would represent discernable signs of progress under the new manager. On the other hand, if they fail to kick on under Slot, the summer of 2025 could be the time Alexander-Arnold ends his association with his boyhood club for greener pastures.

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