Liverpool need to make Trent Alexander-Arnold one of their highest-earning players if they are to fend off interest from Real Madrid in the right-back, according to Reds expert David Lynch.
The Merseyside native is one of three high-profile Liverpool players who could leave the club for nothing next summer, the others being Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, although he is the youngest of the trio by far at 26 years old.
With Real Madrid seeking a long-term successor to Dani Carvajal - who is expected to miss the rest of the 2024-25 season with a severe knee injury - Alexander-Arnold is believed to have emerged as a prime target for Los Blancos, who could reportedly test Liverpool's resolve in January rather than wait until the summer.
Alexander-Arnold also shares an extremely close relationship with Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, and speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch suggested that "quiet conversations" are already taking place in the Spanish capital to bring Alexander-Arnold to the club.
"I think he's daft if he's not thinking about it. You look at what Jude Bellingham is doing there, it looks like he's having an absolutely fantastic time. He's gone there, won the Champions League and the league in his first season there, and gone from being considered a hugely promising player to an icon of world football, seen as one of the top players in the world, and what that's done for his status," Lynch replied when asked if Alexander-Arnold's head could be turned.
"So to go there, live in that climate, to play in that team with those players and that iconic shirt, as much as you're a Liverpool fan, that's got to be something that's weighing on your mind and something to think about.
"But I think Liverpool have got an opportunity to cut that off before it becomes anything serious. I don't expect that Real Madrid, if they are desperate to get him, are respecting the idea that they have to wait to speak to him in January, to be honest. I'm sure there's probably quiet conversations going on there.
"But Liverpool, before that can turn into anything firm, can really cut it off and show Trent how much he means to them, how much he's worth. Put him in the top-earner bracket - you'd probably say he'd earn less than what Salah is on, because he's not a forward, but still, if Salah were to leave, to be the top-earner, such is his importance. I think Liverpool have to do that. They have to show him he's important."
Alexander-Arnold needs Liverpool "guarantees" to snub Real Madrid
Thanks to Alexander-Arnold's status as a local lad, Liverpool are believed to be optimistic about their chances of agreeing a long-term extension with the defender, who has won a total of eight trophies in seven different competitions at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold has become a Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup champion with Liverpool, and he recently broke his silence on his uncertain future, talking up the importance of winning more pieces of silverware.
Lynch added that Alexander-Arnold needs those "guarantees" of success to snub Real Madrid's advances, adding: "They also have to show him, which he hinted at in his interview in the mixed zone the other day, that, 'look, I want to win trophies. That's the most important thing to me'.
"To show him that Liverpool are going to be the Liverpool of a couple of years ago when Michael Edwards was running things. I think he got them to, at one point, the best team in the world. And not just on the basis they won the Club World Cup, I just think for that period, they actually were the best team in the world. I don't think anyone could touch them.
"So I think you've got to offer him guarantees that that is where Liverpool are heading back to. And if Liverpool can do that then he's got every reason with the emotional ties to Liverpool, the idea that they will get to finals and beat Real Madrid, then why not do it? Do it at Liverpool. Have all your success here, but you've got to show him that that's where they're heading."
Alexander-Arnold and Arne Slot's "carrot and stick" relationship explored
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After breaking into the first-team setup under Jurgen Klopp, Alexander-Arnold remains one of the first names on the teamsheet under Arne Slot, although there appeared to be some early friction between the pair.
The defender was evidently miffed when he was brought off in the 72nd minute of the win over Brentford in August, and he failed to complete the full 90 in any of Liverpool's first three Premier League matches of the new term.
Slot defended his decision to substitute Alexander-Arnold early in that game, and the 26-year-old has since seen out each of Liverpool's last four top-flight matches, so Lynch does not feel that there are any concerns about his relationship with his manager, whom he has also credited for elevating the England international's defensive game.
"I think [Trent and Slot] have got a good relationship as well, because I think we have seen real defensive improvement from Trent as well," Lynch added. "I don't think he was ever as bad as was made out around him - there was a bit too much focus on him at times, and it was unfair, and he was playing in a system that consistently left him exposed in difficult situations.
"There's a bit more sanity to the structure [now]. But I also just think in 1v1 situations, there is an extra level of determination there. He is showing a little bit more in those situations. Clearly he wants to take the manager's advice on board - they're working well together and the manager is kind of hammering a little bit when he needs him.
"But also, I remember watching one of the games earlier this season and seeing, I think it might have been the Brentford game, Trent wins a 1v1 situation, you know, near the Liverpool box and Slot's straight up and applauding hands over his head.
"That to me showed it's a bit of carrot and stick, and they are working well together. And there's an understanding that he wants more from Trent on the defensive side, but Trent also wants to give it, so that suggests a good relationship.
'Alexander-Arnold situation is different to Steven Gerrard'
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"I suppose in terms of convincing Trent that there's a future here where there's success, you can't do much better than have the start to the season that Liverpool have had. So, you know, if Liverpool were down in sixth now and struggling and it looked like it was going to be a long road back to being successful, you'd be a lot more worried about these contract talks.
"Whereas I think he'd see a lot in this start to the season that Liverpool can be successful and this is the right place for him to lift more trophies. They all seem like they're enjoying it as well, and they all seem to be working in a system that seems to be getting the best out of all of them.
"That's the case across the squad, but obviously it's most important with these three players that they feel that it's working for them and that this manager can bring success and he's a character that they like. At the end of the day, they all just want to be part of successful teams.
"Trent with Real Madrid is an interesting one because maybe he feels, 'OK, well, if I go there, I'm guaranteed to win the Champions League'. But like I say, if Liverpool say that they are and show that they are building towards that and being that best team in the world again, then, you could actually finally get one over on Real Madrid in the final of that competition or you can bring that success to Liverpool.
"And where better to have it than your boyhood club? It's a different one to where Steven Gerrard was sticking around for the emotional ties, even though he obviously did win the Champions League anyway.
"There's a lot more to be had here for Trent in terms of actually winning trophies, so I think that will show really big appeal to him and hopefully that's a factor in convincing him to stay."
Alexander-Arnold has st up two goals in his first nine appearances of the 2024-25 season and has now surpassed 100 direct contributions in a Reds shirt, scoring 19 of his own and providing 83 assists in 391 matches.
As sporting director Richard Hughes tries to negotiate new deals with all of Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold, Lynch has also revealed whose contract situation he would prioritise ahead of the January window, when all three can enter talks with foreign clubs.
Ben Knapton
