Trent Alexander-Arnold 'shook' in dressing room, angry reaction, Real Madrid latest

Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool future is under serious threat (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Trent Alexander-Arnold is facing an uncertain future at Liverpool following his disastrous performance against Manchester United, which attracted widespread criticism. With his contract running out at the end of the season, the 26-year-old is now free to speak with non-English clubs, heightening speculation of a transfer to long-term admirers Real Madrid.

On Sunday, he was regularly targeted by United, who successfully exploited his defensive vulnerabilities. The match ended 2-2, but with rumours of a move to Spain swirling, Alexander-Arnold's poor showing led to ridicule both online and in the Sky Sports studio.

"There's talk about him going to Real Madrid - he's going to Tranmere Rovers after this," Roy Keane joked. Even Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk appeared exasperated with Alexander-Arnold, with the right-back failing to win any of his individual duels by the time he made way for Conor Bradley in the 86th minute. With his Anfield career seemingly hanging by a thread, Express Football is examining how things got to where they are now.

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Jurgen Klopp's exit last summer reportedly rocked Alexander-Arnold to the point that he immediately started considering his future at his boyhood club. The German handed the defender his Liverpool debut and helped him grow into one of the best technicians the club has ever known.

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Klopp was excellent at getting the best out of Alexander-Arnold while shielding his weaknesses, and his abrupt departure removed the protective barrier the manager had provided him since he broke into the first team. Speaking to Sky Sports, Alexander-Arnold admitted that Klopp's exit hit him hard and that the entire squad was shellshocked after the announcement was made.

"It was just a complete surprise to all of us as players, it was one that we didn't see coming, you never do, especially when things are going so well," he said. "We were flying, up and around the top of the league, we're fighting on all four fronts at that point for every trophy we could so you're expecting the good times to keep coming and coming and coming.

"So when he tells us the news and his decision we have got to respect it obviously but it's one of them no player wants to hear and it was one that kind of shook the dressing room for a couple of hours."

Alexander-Arnold had a strong relationship with former Liverpool boss Klopp (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Tough start under Slot

Heading into the current campaign, Alexander-Arnold had just a year left on his contract, leaving his Liverpool future in doubt from the get-go. Then, as the season began to unfold, it was clear that new manager Arne Slot had some reversations about the defender.

The Dutchman hooked Alexander-Arnold in all three of his first three Premier League matches, though he claimed this was because he was managing the right-back's workload. Nonetheless, Alexander-Arnold cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines.

The situation boiled over during a match against Brentford in August when a seemingly irked Alexander-Arnold slouched on the bench after being replaced, and looked uninterested as Slot attempted to talk to him. He also appeared nonplussed after the final whistle when team-mate Diogo Jota tried to celebrate the win with him.

Slot has used him regularly all season, however, and tried to shield Alexander-Arnold from criticism after Sunday's performance, stating: "Trent has played mostly very good games for the club. Today was not his best game, but that had to do with them as well," he said. "Sometimes Ryan [Gravenberch] was not close enough to him, so it was a two-on-one situation. I would put it more on the quality of [Diogo] Dalot and Bruno Fernandes."

Trent Alexander-Arnold didn't react well to being substituted in Liverpool's first few matches this season (Image: Sky Sports)Real Madrid rumours

The rumour mill spun into motion with Spanish media claiming Alexander-Arnold communicated a desire to move to Real Madrid after his contract ends this summer. Those reports have, however, been rebutted by multiple British outlets.

Despite the ongoing interest from Los Blancos, Liverpool rejected a reported £20million bid for their vice-captain on New Year's Eve. The Spanish giants had hoped to secure his services this month, but it now seems more likely that they'll wait until the end of the campaign to snap him up.

The future of the player remains uncertain as discussions continue with the Anfield bosses regarding a possible contract extension. All negotiations are being handled by Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes, reflecting the club's unwavering commitment to retaining Alexander-Arnold.