Trent Alexander-Arnold remains coy on his Liverpool future with fewer than 10 months to run on his current Anfield deal. The defender says his personal ambitions will be a telling factor in what he decides to do beyond the end of the season.
The right-back has been a key figure in the new head coach Arne Slot’s plans, starting all six matches of his tenure. He produced a fine assist for Luis Díaz in the 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday that ensured Liverpool would be second at the end of the weekend but, like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, his contract is due to expire in June.
“I want to be a Liverpool player this season [as a minimum] is what I will say,” Alexander-Arnold said when asked if he wants to stay in the long term. “I have been at the club 20 years now, 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.”
Alexander-Arnold joined the club when he was six and rose through the ranks to the first team, going on to play 231 Premier League games thus far. He was part of Jürgen Klopp’s side that won the title in 2019-20 and also boasts Champions League, Club World Cup, FA Cup and League Cup winner’s medals. If he does not agree to a new deal before the turn of the year, the England international will be allowed to speak to clubs in different countries over a potential free transfer next summer.
“The most important thing is always trophies if I am honest,” Alexander-Arnold said when asked what will influence his decision on whether to extend his time at Liverpool. “I want to win trophies, I am a player who is highly motivated by trophies and winning things and being elite. So that is probably the main factor of anything, if you have a personality that is elite, who wants to win and will do anything to win then that is what drives me.”
The Liverpudlian, who has ambitions to captain the club, is an integral figure within the dressing room and has enjoyed a fine start to the season under Slot, helping Liverpool to four wins in five Premier League matches, conceding a solitary goal. “We were close to the title last season and we got a cup,” Alexander-Arnold said. “The quadruple was on for a while I suppose, the signs were there. This season we are looking really good, it is still early days, but we need a lot of consistency and beat a lot of teams over the course of this season. Then you have the other cups, the Champions League and everything that comes around it. It will be difficult but we are looking to win as many trophies as we can.”
Alexander-Arnold’s assist for Díaz against Bournemouth was his 100th goal involvement for Liverpool. “I think I am capable of many, many more if I am honest,” the defender said. “For now I am completely focused on this season and how many goals, assists and clean sheets I can get and hopefully do enough to help us win the league.”
