(Credit: Imago)

Ben Palmer

Mon 5 May 2025 12:54, UK

Liverpool’s “unprecedented” behind-the-scenes issues caused a significant delay in contract talks with Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Much of the Red’s maiden campaign under the stewardship of Arne Slot has been dominated by talks of expiring contracts.

Throughout the season, there was uncertainty over the futures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold.

Both the Egyptian and Liverpool’s captain agreed to two-year extensions in April, putting an end to rumours of their departures from Anfield.

However, the same cannot be said for the Reds’ academy graduate, with Alexander-Arnold now likely to move to Real Madrid on a free transfer this coming summer.

Following a report from The Times, it has emerged that issues behind the scenes at Liverpool significantly delayed contract talks with the 26-year-old.

Liverpool late to offer Trent Alexander-Arnold contract extension

According to the report, all of the Reds’ previous contract dealings with Alexander-Arnold (he had previously penned extensions in July 2017, January 2019 and July 2021) indicated they would have come to the negotiating table in the summer of 2023, with just two years remaining on his deal.

Madrid‘s interest was already “audible”, but it took a further eight months to make a formal offer to the right-back, with the proposal arriving in April 2024.

The delay coincided with a “period of unprecedented flux” behind the scenes at Anfield. Julian Ward stood down just a year after succeeding Michael Edwards as sporting director, president of Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Mike Gordon had retreated into the background, and Jurgen Klopp had privately informed FSG’s president in November he would be leaving at the end of the new season.

Richard Hughes was announced as Liverpool’s new sporting director in March 2024, taking over in the summer, and his very first call prior to officially starting in the roll was to Alexander-Arnold’s representatives, but talks effectively stopped around March of this year.

Trent Alexander-Arnold exit timing may be perfect for Liverpool

Football Insider Verdict

Having won it all at his boyhood club, it is hard to find fault in Alexander-Arnold’s reasoning for wanting to leave Liverpool.

Whilst many are disappointed to see him leaving on a free transfer, the English right-back has the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play for the biggest club in all of sports, and not wanting to jeopardise that opportunity is understandable.

However, the timing is as good as it will ever be for Liverpool to move on from their star right-back.

Conor Bradley has enjoyed two seasons as an understudy to the Englishman, learning his trade and impressing when used in place of his Madrid-bound teammate.

What’s more, elite fullbacks are increasingly difficult to find, but Jeremie Frimpong will be available this summer, with the Dutchman seeming likely to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

Whilst keeping Alexander-Arnold was likely plan A, having the opportunity to sign a world-class replacement for just £33.7million [Express], and having Bradley already adjusted to first-team football is a fantastic alternative.