As Liverpool head into the second worldwide break of the season with the way forward for Trent Alexander-Arnold nonetheless up within the air, Aaron Cutler asks whether or not leaving on a free would taint his legacy.
Liverpool are sitting fairly; prime of the desk heading into the second worldwide break of the season, Arne Slot couldn’t have wished for a greater begin to his reign. One Nottingham Forest aberration aside, it has confirmed the smoothest transition.
But, for all of the positivity on the sphere, uncertainty off it serves to test optimism.
Contract renewals, or quite a scarcity of them, are a spectre hanging over the membership on the eve of a crunch interval. Furthermore, it’s one looming ever bigger given these concerned can begin negotiating with rivals from abroad as quickly as January.
That it has come to this displays poorly on these working the present.
Mitigating elements can definitely be offered, adjustments in supervisor and sporting director chief amongst them, however to danger dropping three of your 4 genuinely world-class gamers in a single summer time is a dereliction of obligation. Spinning that doomsday situation as something however a disaster can be a tall order.
Whereas supporters aren’t privy to personal discussions, two of the three gamers in query have a minimum of indicated a need to stay at Anfield. In fact, public statements of that sort is usually a negotiation tactic in themselves, however given the personalities of Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah, you’d prefer to imagine their intentions are real.
That leaves Trent Alexander-Arnold. From the surface wanting in, his long-term future seems probably the most unsure and given his roots, probably the most contentious.
Judged by a special normal
Rightly or wrongly, loyalty is demanded from native gamers, significantly those that have graduated from the academy.
Have been Van Dijk or Salah to depart Liverpool subsequent summer time it could be regrettable however there would nonetheless be fond farewells. Have been Trent to comply with swimsuit, he dangers burning bridges and that’s a dilemma he’s absolutely reckoning with.
Apparent comparisons have been made to Steven Gerrard who shunned loads of advances, to cement his legacy on the membership and inside the metropolis. One other Scouser, although, has beforehand charted a course away from L4.
Steve McManaman proved there’s life after Liverpool and silverware to be hoovered up. One of many few feedback Trent has made in relation to his contract ‘stand-off’ is the importance of trophies.
Signing for Actual Madrid is assured entry to the winners’ ball, however in his case there’s a worth of admission – he want look no additional than McManaman as a cautionary story.
Youthful followers might not admire simply how good a participant ‘Macca’ was. Questionable barnets and commentary (Sloberszlai?) alike imply he’s painted as considerably of a joke determine on social media. On the pitch, he was something however.
The inventive fulcrum of Roy Evans’ 90s aspect, he offered the creativity that made them one of the vital potent sides of the period. Throughout 9 years he assisted 85 objectives, comfortably putting him among the many prime 10 most inventive gamers in our historical past – and nonetheless above Trent, simply.
He additionally starred in two main ultimate victories, memorably netting each objectives within the League Cup triumph of 1995.
He’s a Liverpool legend in all however identify and that’s solely as a result of he finally ran down his contract. The primary high-profile Bosman switch, his determination to depart on a free tainted his legacy and popularity.
Whereas no one would name McManamann unpopular he’s positively not revered. He’s extra more likely to obtain a small applause than a standing ovation.
To be clear, he’s unlikely to lose any sleep – two Champions League and La Liga medals be certain that – however there should absolutely be a pang of remorse that he’s not lauded in the identical method as his nice pal, Robbie Fowler.
Trent has a lot to contemplate over the approaching weeks however legacy will certainly come into consideration. Legendary standing is inside attain however following a special path now will make any return journey residence that bit trickier. Depart on a free and also you’d greatest not hassle.
He’s the inheritor obvious to the captaincy, the person round which Slot’s Liverpool would absolutely be constructed and somebody with a mural devoted to them outdoors Anfield. He stands on the point of realising all the things he’s ever labored in direction of and but the intense lights of Madrid present a fly within the ointment.
The self-proclaimed glamour membership can dazzle even probably the most dedicated of gamers.
That temptation will solely enhance when overtures come by means of one in all your greatest mates in Jude Bellingham.
Is it honest that he’s held to a special normal merely due to the place he was born? Maybe.
In some other stroll of life, an worker can be inspired to earn and obtain extra, significantly if that had been in sunnier climates, much more so in the event that they’ve hit each KPI of their present office (one thing Gerrard by no means managed).
However soccer is tribal and Liverpool is phenomenal.
Behind closed doorways
By stating he intends to deal with the scenario in personal Alexander-Arnold has purchased himself time however not a lot. With every passing week, apprehension grows among the many fanbase. The longer this deadlock drags on, the larger the chance of discontent from the stands.
If we’re no nearer to a breakthrough in a month’s time, and the staff and participant’s requirements drop, the possibilities are the temper music will change and Trent can be within the firing line along with his dedication questioned. That’s the cruel actuality of soccer.
Rumblings of that sort had been already evident within the wake of his response to being substituted in opposition to Brentford. So too reviews, albeit from Spain, that he’s not answered Liverpool’s newest proposals. There’s a nervousness that would rapidly flip to anger.
The prevailing perspective is that Trent is entitled to take his time, however that endurance would possibly run out. We’re already at a degree the place his each transfer and facial features are being studied. A season-ending damage to Madrid’s present right-back, Dani Carvajal, has additional ratcheted up the anxiousness.
Ought to we attain Easter with no renewal confirmed, he might be working the gauntlet.
For Liverpool’s half, you belief the membership has ready an appropriate provide befitting a participant of his high quality. Current quotes from Messrs Van Dijk and Salah imply even they will’t be taken without any consideration, however the fits can be keenly conscious that of the three, Trent completely should recover from the road.
To lose a participant of his skill at this age and given his private attachment to the membership, can be an enormous blow and couldn’t be painted as something totally different. It might weaken not solely the staff however our standing on the world stage.
The largest golf equipment retain their greatest gamers. The stakes are excessive and each side have rather a lot to lose.
