Sections of Liverpool’s support are worried that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s choice to downplay rumors about his future until the end of the season could negatively impact the club’s chances of winning silverware.

During Liverpool’s recent 2-2 draw against Manchester United, Alexander-Arnold was substituted for Conor Bradley, walking off the field with a clap to the crowd. His demeanor seemed to suggest a plea for forgiveness, especially when contrasted with Cody Gakpo, who energetically rushed to the sidelines to replace Harvey Elliott. Gakpo’s urgency reflected the hard-working and committed mentality that has characterized Arne Slot’s management during the first half of the season.

Defensive Struggles Laid Bare

Unfortunately for Alexander-Arnold, he faced a challenging match, often being outmaneuvered by Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, as Ruben Amorim strategically targeted Liverpool’s right flank. While opposition managers have frequently aimed to exploit Alexander-Arnold’s defensive weaknesses, rarely have they been so glaringly exposed. Statistics from the match were troubling: zero tackles, five duels lost, and two dribbled past.

Most alarmingly, SofaScore reported that Alexander-Arnold lost possession 27 times in just 86 minutes—an average of once every three minutes. Although his role often involves riskier passes, leading to a higher loss of possession, it was particularly concerning how frequently he misplayed passes against United. The next closest player in terms of lost possession was Mo Salah, with 18.

Future Uncertainty and Its Impact

The narrative around Alexander-Arnold has shifted to suggest that ongoing speculation about a potential move to Real Madrid is affecting his performances, a concern that may persist in the coming months. Many Liverpool fans believe he is the least likely among three players out of contract to sign a new deal, and his public commitment has been notably lacking compared to Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, both of whom have expressed their desire to remain at the club.

Alexander-Arnold’s only comment on his situation came in September when he stated, “I have signed four or five contract extensions, and none of those have been played out in public—and this one won’t be either.” However, this approach may not be suitable in modern football, where public scrutiny is inevitable.

The situation now calls for transparency: Alexander-Arnold needs to clarify whether he intends to stay at Liverpool or pursue a move to Madrid. Clarity is essential for both the club and its supporters, as well as for the player’s own public relations.

He previously mentioned, “The most important thing is trophies if I’m honest.” Four months later, Liverpool appears well-positioned to compete for titles, but the fear remains that distractions could undermine those ambitions.

The questions surrounding Alexander-Arnold’s future are significant and complex: Has he already decided to leave for Madrid? Has Liverpool failed to present an offer he finds acceptable? If so, why? And if an offer has been made, is it truly about winning trophies, as he claims?