Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk remain key – but ensuring Trent Alexander-Arnold signs a new contract must be Liverpool's top priority
Getty Richard Hughes’ main focus should be persuading their local star to remain at Anfield, despite all three being out of contract next summer.
Trent Alexander-Arnold politely declined requests to stop and speak to journalists in the mixed zone at Portman Road on Saturday. "I don't know what you'd possibly want to speak to me about!" the Liverpool star said with a knowing smile on his face.
Alexander-Arnold had been the best player on the pitch in his team's Premier League opener at Ipswich, utterly integral to Arne Slot's reign beginning with an encouraging 2-0 win, with the stunning pass that led to the game's opener the undoubted highlight of the England international's crucial contribution.
Nevertheless, the right-back was keenly conscious that the assembled journalists weren’t solely interested in discussing his impactful performance. He understood that he would inevitably be required to answer inquiries about his future, considering his existing contract is set to expire the following summer.
Given the circumstances, Alexander-Arnold managed the situation nearly perfectly. He diffused the pressing matter of the day with a humorous response to requests for interviews.
However, the fans are understandably appalled at the prospect of losing a homegrown hero like Alexander-Arnold for nothing at the end of the season, given that Liverpool has not yet agreed on an extension with him. This is clearly not a joking matter for them.
