Arne Slot has admitted he is “disappointed” by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave the club at the end of the season, but believes the Reds will find a way to move forward without the vice-captain.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Arsenal, Slot addressed the right-back’s announcement, which came earlier this week. Trent revealed he will leave Anfield when his contract runs out in June. The 25-year-old is expected to join Real Madrid, although a deal has not yet been confirmed.
Trent came through Liverpool’s academy and has made over 350 appearances for the club, winning eight major trophies. He is also said to have turned down a big contract offer that would have made him one of the highest-paid full-backs in the game.
Reacting to the news, Slot said:
“Like everybody who likes Liverpool and who is a fan of Liverpool, we are disappointed for him leaving because not only a good human being is leaving, but a very good full-back is leaving us as well.
“I also worked at clubs like AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord, where every season, good players left, so I am a bit more used to it. The experience I have and this club as well, is if a good, very good player is leaving, the next very good player will step up, and that is what probably will happen again.”
Reports say Madrid want the defender to join them in time for the summer’s Club World Cup and could try to negotiate an early release with Liverpool. But Slot wasn’t drawn on Trent’s next destination.
“Do you know where Trent is going? He hasn’t said anything about it himself. The only thing he has said that he will leave the club, so it is impossible to comment on where he is going and if that is a club that will play in the Club World Cup. You see by my smile, we both know where he is going to but it hasn’t been said yet.”
Asked about fan reaction to the announcement, Slot added:
“That people have an opinion about us, whether it’s Trent or me or someone else that works in this industry, that’s not new for anyone. For him, it’s a bit more negative than he’s used to, but I don’t follow all of this.
“I’m not here to tell the fans how they should react. I will see Trent in a bit. The boys had a few days off as well. I will wait and see how he feels about him announcing he’s going to leave the club.
“I did speak to him on WhatsApp but let’s wait and see. I think we are all disappointed, but I think Trent was the first one to say he doesn’t want us as a club and as a team to be too distracted by this announcement. I’m hoping all of the energy goes to the players.”
With Trent on his way out, Slot confirmed that Conor Bradley is likely to start against Arsenal on Sunday. The 21-year-old has had an injury-hit season and needs more game time.
“Let’s not compare him with Trent,” Slot said. “They’re two different types [of player]. With Conor, we all see the potential. He’s a very talented player. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been fit throughout the whole season. To become a very good player, you have to be available every single week as well.
“That’s the first step he has to make for next season, but we have a lot of confidence in Conor as a very good full-back for Liverpool, and that is what he has already shown.”
