I think I know if Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool

I think I know if Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool - I went through it with Steven Gerrard

John Arne Riise has been speaking about the futures of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold is approaching the final six months of his Liverpool contract (Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images )

Liverpool moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League with a fiercely fought 3-2 victory at Southampton on Sunday. Throw in the fact that the Reds also top the Champions League group stage and are through to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, then life could not be going much better.

However, concern remains in the fan base over three of the players who have taken Liverpool to the top of English and European football before and are threatening to do it again.

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Mohamed Salah maintained his magnificent form with a two-goal salvo that sealed the Reds' comeback victory at St Mary's. But the superstar forward, along with captain Virgil van Dijk and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold, is out of contract at the end of the season.

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Losing Salah and Van Dijk, who are 32 and 33 respectively, is unthinkable given they remain as imperious as ever, but if they were to leave next summer, then you could not argue that Liverpool hadn't enjoyed their very best years. But at 26, Alexander-Arnold's best years should still be in front of him and losing his services on a free transfer - Real Madrid have been heavily linked - would be catastrophic.

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For former Reds left-back John Arne Riise it brings back memories of when Liverpool legend and his old team-mate Steven Gerrard could have left his boyhood club to join Chelsea.

"I think it’s important to keep Trent, to be honest," said Riise to Coin Poker. "He’s a local player, an unbelievably good player. It would be really disappointing for the fans, the club, and the city if he leaves because he’s such a local lad, proving you can come from the area and perform at the highest level.

"At the same time, Trent needs to feel wanted - whether it’s the type of contract or the plans the club has for him in the future. But he’s in a good position to negotiate. If Real Madrid is in the picture and you’re performing at a high level, the club really needs to step up.

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"I think Trent’s waiting for Liverpool to show that love and commitment that he wants to sign. But at the same time it’s tough because Real Madrid is a massive club, but I think it means more to Trent to be a local hero.

"I was there with Steven Gerrard when he almost left for Chelsea. We were close friends, and I could see how much the discussions in the papers affected Stevie mentally and physically and mood wise.

"He was really close to going, but in the end, the love for the club and the city meant more than a trophy or two. And I think Trent will do the same - he’ll stay."

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Alexander-Arnold is currently sidelined by a hamstring injury that means he is a doubt for the Reds' huge Champions League clash with Real Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night. Should he be passed fit, the England international right-back would likely go up against Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, who are arguably the best left-sided forwards in world football.

But for all the scrutiny Alexander-Arnold receives over his defending, Riise believes the Liverpool academy graduate has improved in that respect under new head coach Arne Slot.

"I do understand the criticism but every player has weaknesses," said the Norwegian, who made 348 appearances and scored 31 goals and created 36 more during his time with the Reds, during which he won the Champions League and four other major trophies.

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"You have to weigh how important his strengths are compared to those weaknesses. Can you cover up some of them?

"The way Liverpool plays now, if I were an opposing coach, I’d target him - ‘have a go at Trent’ - by putting a fast or skilful winger against him. But going the other way, his passing, assists, vision, and shooting means more, especially for a big club like Liverpool, which dominates most games.

"Sure, against top teams, he might get exposed more, but I think Trent has improved defensively. He looks sharper one-on-one this year compared to last. The club has a plan to cover his defensive weaknesses, and I believe he’ll continue to improve."

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Salah and Van Dijk are playing as well as they ever have and Riise also addressed their contract situations. He said: "This is a really hard one. I think it all depends on what he (Salah) wants. If he shows that he really wants to stay, I think Liverpool will keep him. But it's difficult because there's been talk about Saudi Arabia and all that.

"He looks sharp now, relaxed, enjoying his football. But is he enjoying it because he knows it’s his last year? I have no idea. It's a tough call. I'd keep him, but it's going to cost a lot to do so. But if you let him go, who do you get to replace him? That's going to cost a lot, and you’re not guaranteed to find someone who can give you the goals and assists he does.

"That’s why I would try to keep him. Liverpool look strong now. I think Salah and Van Dijk are watching to see if we're competitive this year. The team looks good - top of the league, new manager, new ideas.

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"For those two, it’s crucial to know we can still challenge for the title. If we lose both, we’d have to start over with two of our most influential players gone. It’s not just about finding replacements; what message does it send to the fans? It would be a tough one for the club.

"But at the end of the day, the players need to show they want to be there and work hard for the club. Right now, things look really good, and we’re top of the league. The club should do whatever they can to keep those two."

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