Liverpool boss Arne Slot has insisted that he 'remains unaffected' by speculation linking Trent Alexander-Arnold with Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old has remained as a key man since Slot's arrival, making 35 starts and four substitute outings in all competitions.
However, Slot has selected the England international throughout this campaign in the knowledge that it could be the player's final campaign at Anfield.
With no contract renewal being agreed, the right-back has been frequently linked with a move to the Bernabeu and it has been widely suggested that a move has already been agreed.
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What has Slot said on Alexander-Arnold?
Slot will have to make do without Alexander-Arnold when Liverpool square off against Everton in the second and final Merseyside derby of the season on Wednesday night.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of that encounter, Slot insisted that his only concern regarding Alexander-Arnold was when he was going to return from a knee injury.
The Dutchman told reporters: "His situation is that unfortunately he is injured. Otherwise people probably would have spoken about him having one or two brilliant performances for the England team.
"But he is injured so for him he is fully focused for his recovery and for us we are trying to help him to be back as early as he can."
On recent reports, he added: "It's a situation that is there for eight or nine months now.
"These three players (Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah) have performed so well under these circumstances. So no it does not affect me at all."
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When may Alexander-Arnold return?
Since the international break, there has been no update on whether Alexander-Arnold is any closer to returning to training, it merely being claimed in the past that he should feature again during 2024-25.
Some Liverpool fans have criticised Alexander-Arnold for his alleged decision to leave, despite his legendary stint that has seen 22 goals and 87 assists come from 349 appearances.
As it stands, there is the prospect of Alexander-Arnold only playing two more times for Liverpool at Anfield, against Arsenal on May 10 and Crystal Palace on May 25.
Darren Plant
