There might be one or two Liverpool fans looking on enviously at Kylian Mbappe in his new Real Madrid kit.
Arne Slot though should be more than a little worried at the sight. Not because it could signal yet more European dominance for the continent’s most successful team – although that is an obvious concern. Rather, it should serve as a warning to Liverpool.
Mbappe secured his dream move after running down his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. Even for a club of Real’s side, producing the sort of fee the French club might have demanded beforehand would have been quite the feat, but the pull of the Bernabeu is strong.
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PSG clearly was not too happy, but Mbappe was more than content to let his time in the French capital wind down so he could get the move he wanted so much, and it’s a ploy we could see again soon.
Leny Yoro has clubs lining up for his services, yet the Lille teenager seems happy to bide his time, knowing he could get his dream move in 12 months’ time. Real is beating the system by barely lifting a finger, and that needs to spring Liverpool into action.
According to Bild, the reigning European and Spanish champions have made contact with Trent Alexander-Arnold. Just like Mbappe and Yoro, Real look to have spotted an opportunity.
Alexander-Arnold’s contract at Anfield is now in its final year. For one of the club’s own to have been allowed to go this long without a new deal is a failure within itself for Liverpool, but it could turn into a nightmare if he’s allowed to leave for Madrid for nothing next year.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly been contacted by Real Madrid (Image: Getty Images) Unlike Mbappe and Yoro, there has never really been any indication of Alexander-Arnold pining to don the famous white kit. In fact, he has spoken previously about wanting to spend the whole of his career with the Reds.
But the claim that the 25-year-old is in fact interested in Real’s approach needs to be a wake-up call for Liverpool. There has been plenty of discussion about what Arne Slot’s priority should be in his first summer as head coach – well, here it is.
Liverpool needs to tie Alexander-Arnold down to a new contract. Already earmarked as the club’s next captain after Virgil van Dijk, he has already become a talisman for the Reds, and should not be allowed to leave – not without a fight anyway.
It will be a little while until Slot meets the right-back, with Alexander-Arnold set for a break after his exploits with England at Euro 2024. The new Liverpool boss has already revealed he’s planning on speaking to his vice-captain about his position.
While he’s at it, he should be getting Richard Hughes involved as well. Transfers might be left until later in the summer, but Alexander-Arnold’s future cannot wait any longer. A new deal is needed before Real Madrid repeats its new trick.
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