To borrow Jude Bellingham’s words from last month: “When Real Madrid knocks on the door, the whole house shakes.”
On Tuesday, Real Madrid and its president Florentino Pérez tried to knock on Liverpool’s door, but were chased down the street before setting foot in the driveway.
An inquiry from the Spanish champions to the Premier League leaders about the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold this month was quickly rejected and that, as far as Liverpool is concerned, is that.
Discussions never got to the point of “here’s our offer” because Real was rejected before money could be discussed.
But don’t get your hopes up: the games have begun.
In truth, they were already underway, intensified over the weekend when Marca, the newspaper most closely linked to Los Blancos, published a front-page headline suggesting that Alexander-Arnold had decided to head to Madrid.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has to make the call of his life as he considers leaving Liverpool
Liverpool quickly rejected Real Madrid’s approach on Tuesday, but the games have only just begun
Reports in Spain claim Alexander-Arnold has already decided to join Los Blancos, while Liverpool sources insist he shows no desire to leave.
This was backed up on Saturday when multiple sources in Spain told Mail Sport of the 15-time European champion’s confidence that they would tempt him to join them. All the noise in the Spanish capital was positive: Alexander-Arnold would soon be their man.
Liverpool have adopted a calmer attitude. It is understood that dialogue between the club and Alexander-Arnold’s team has been underway for months and the Reds have never received any indication that he wants to leave.
There are multiple sides to this story and it’s worth saying that no decision has yet been made either way. Alexander-Arnold has the decision of his life to make here and both options have significant advantages and disadvantages.
The appeal of joining Real is obvious: Alexander-Arnold has won everything he can in England, can claim more titles in Spain and perhaps gets a better foundation to take individual gongs like the Ballon d’Or.
He would play with his good friend Bellingham and experience a new way of life in a new country.
On the other hand, he could establish himself as a true Liverpool legend if he stayed. He is the heir apparent to the captaincy of his boyhood club and, as a local lad, there are few greater honors than captaining this team. And Liverpool are arguably a better team than Real at the moment.
Michael Owen talked about the pros and cons of this platform on Christmas Eve (which, given the rapid development of this saga, seems like it was six months ago), but the difference here is that, unlike Owen and Steve McManaman, Alexander-Arnold doesn’t need to go out and win the big trophies.
Madrid’s appeal is obvious: they can compete for trophies, play with Jude Bellingham and perhaps have a better shot at the Ballon d’Or.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is interested in signing a new right back to reinforce his injury-hit squad.
However, Liverpool are arguably the better team at the moment and beat Madrid in November.
All the talk in Spain over the weekend, and indeed throughout the season, suggested that a move in January was not on the cards. That remains the case and Liverpool’s rebuttal practically closes the door on him.
But the fact that Real tried it is significant and is part of their mind games strategy.
Given everything that has been said, Alexander-Arnold couldn’t be blamed if his head turned and distraction affected him in the coming days.
That hasn’t been the case so far (just look at his celebration at West Ham last Sunday) and it’s unlikely to change. He is committed to Liverpool’s goals.
In October, Reds manager Arne Slot was asked if Real courting Alexander-Arnold would distract the player and said: “You underestimate our players.” They are used to being linked daily with all the big clubs, whether they have a contract or not.
‘If you think these interests disturb them, then I think you’re not doing justice to how mentally strong they are and what they’re used to.
‘This is part of our job. This is part of the world we live in. Just focus on what you have to do. Maybe if you’re 17 or 18, that might be difficult for you.
“But Trent won the Premier League, he won the Champions League, Virgil (van Dijk) and Mo (Salah) did the same. I don’t think it will be a problem for them to perform.”
Arne Slot has insisted Liverpool’s contract sagas are not distracting players
This is turning into a fake war, in which words are exchanged with little action to back them up. Real Madrid uses its media spokespersons, Liverpool sits quietly and patiently and insists there is nothing to worry about.
Slot is usually the man in charge of finding new ways to answer uncomfortable questions. They come almost daily: ‘Any updates on contracts?’ – and the answer is always the same. Admittedly, he laughs and jokes about it, but he must be tired of having to confront each other and give direct answers.
Which brings us to the point that there is only one man who can stop all the noise, the questions, the debate and the soap opera: Alexander-Arnold himself. Instead of having the cryptic celebration pointed in your ear, communicating your decision would silence everything.
There is a view in some sections of Liverpool fans that this is the type of saga that could derail their title challenge. Given Slot’s tendency to dismiss any perceived obstacles in the way, that’s unlikely, but it’s certainly something to consider.
The saga doesn’t help anyone at Liverpool. No slot. Not the locker room, which is now flooded with uncertainty. And not Alexander-Arnold himself, who is receiving strong criticism from some fans for not committing his future to his childhood team.
Many have wondered if Real Madrid would even try their luck at signing him in January if they had not been encouraged to say he wants to join them.
It’s a fair point, but as one source said: “This is Madrid throwing a grenade and seeing what happens.”
Liverpool, however, are not a soft player. With experienced heads running the club, they were never going to back down at the first glimpse of danger and would let Alexander-Arnold walk away without a fight to keep him.
Liverpool are also in negotiations with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk over new contracts.
It’s not worth taking advantage of Alexander-Arnold in January while he helps clinch the title.
The same thing happened with Philippe Coutinho seven years ago, when he dug in and managed to collect a £146m fee from Barcelona. Liverpool laughed all the way to the bank and reinvested that money in Van Dijk (£75m) and Alisson (£64.6m). Although the balance sheets don’t show it, cashing in on Alexander-Arnold now (for fear of losing him for free in the summer) is not worth it for Liverpool unless Real’s offer is astronomical.
If the 26-year-old can help the Reds win the Premier League or Champions League, he is worth keeping.
Predicting Alexander-Arnold’s future is complex. All the noise in Spain suggests he is already their man, while those on Merseyside are relaxed and insist they have had no indication he wants to jump ship.
But there’s a safe bet: this saga is only in its infancy and more real mind games are coming soon. Happy new year.