Liverpool can afford to lose Real Madrid-linked Trent Alexander-Arnold in the summer, and the right-back's new contract should be a lower priority than Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, according to former Reds winger Jermaine Pennant.
While Arne Slot has been smashing records left, right and centre since taking the reins from Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool's marvellous on-field feats have been slightly overshadowed by the uncertain futures of Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Van Dijk, all of whom could leave for free this summer as things stand.
Dialogue is believed to be ongoing with the agents of all three players, who have played fundamental roles in the Reds' success so far this season, but the club are yet to reach a breakthrough with any of their camps.
However, speaking exclusively to Sports Mole, ex-Reds winger Pennant claimed that it would be "blasphemous" to expect the Reds to lose all three for nothing when June rolls around, although he feels that Alexander-Arnold joining Real Madrid is inevitable.
"We don't know what kind of conversations are going on behind closed doors," Pennant said. "But those players, I have no way on this planet are Liverpool going to let all three go. Absolutely, don't be blasphemous, it's not going to happen.
Pennant: 'Alexander-Arnold will obviously go to Real Madrid'
"Virgil will probably get sorted first. Salah, probably 70% that he will sign a year extension. And I think Trent will obviously go to Real Madrid in the summer. But there will be action before the window closes. There will be announcements that at least one of them have signed, 100%."
Alexander-Arnold has long been lauded for his exceptional range of passing and terrific assist tallies while coming through the Liverpool youth ranks, but the jury remains out on the England international's defensive abilities.
The consensus is that Alexander-Arnold has improved in that regard since Slot took charge, but he was lambasted for a pitiful performance in the Reds' 2-2 Premier League draw with Manchester United earlier this month, leading to suggestions that his head had been turned by Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti's side supposedly had one approach turned down on New Year's Eve and have since decided against making another move in January, instead holding out hope that Alexander-Arnold will not sign a new deal and will be available for free at the end of the season.
The 26-year-old responded to his Man United horror show with a fabulous strike against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup third round and also provided an assist for Darwin Nunez in the weekend's 2-0 success over Brentford, before being dropped for Conor Bradley against Lille in the Champions League.
'Liverpool can afford to lose Alexander-Arnold'
© Imago
The latter is a "better defender" than Alexander-Arnold in Pennant's eyes, and Liverpool should not be losing sleep if the Englishman leaves, adding: "I think they can probably afford to lose Trent, if I'm fully honest. What he gives you going forward at times is absolutely unbelievable - his passing, his creativity on the ball.
"But if you're looking at the defensive aspects, he's probably not the best defender at the club in that position. Conor Bradley is probably a better defender at the moment. But what Trent gives you going forward can counter some of his defensive frailties.
"So you probably would say Trent, you'd be happy most if he was to go. Virgil is irreplaceable, no one in the team in that position can do what he does. Defending, he's an absolute rock. Anyone who plays alongside him is a better defender.
"And obviously Mo Salah, his strike force is unbelievable. The players that we can bring on, it's frightening. But for the last eight years, he's the top goalscorer every single season. That, again, is hard to argue. So for me, it would be Virgil, then Mo, then Trent."
Alexander-Arnold has registered two goals and six assists from 29 appearances across all tournaments in the current campaign, taking his overall tally for Liverpool to 21 strikes and 86 assists from 339 matches.
The Reds qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League by overcoming Lille on Tuesday night and are back in Premier League action at home to Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon.
Jermaine Pennant was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of William Hill.
Ben Knapton
