The 26-year-old is out of contract at Anfield in the summer and could leave on a free transfer with Los Blancos favourites to sign him

Real Madrid have been dealt a blow in their bid to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool as a rival Euro giant has reportedly 'taken a firm step' to beat them to the punch.

Liverpool have dropped Trent Alexander-Arnold from their Carabao Cup semi-final starting XI while the defender is being heavily linked with a move to Real Madri

The 20-year-old forward Charles Sagoe Jr has returned to Arsenal from a loan spell with League One side Shrewsbury Town, but that is unrelated to the current injury crisis. After Sagoe Jr made just five starts in the first half of the season, Shrewsbury opted to terminate the loan arrangement.

Real Madrid star Lucas Vasquez has become the first player from the Spanish side to publicly address the rumours linking Trent Alexander-Arnold to the club.

Trent Alexander-Arnold entered the winter transfer market under a cloud of uncertainty. Despite signing off from 2024 with a goal for Liverpool against West Ham, it wasn’t long before Real Madrid were pestering the club about signing him in January.

Liverpool are still waiting for an answer over their contract extension offer to Trent Alexander-Arnold. The England international is now firmly into the final six months of his contract at Anfield alongside Mohamed Salah and club captain Virgil van Dijk.

Real Madrid have received confirmation of the immediate plans of Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is expected to hook up with the Bernabeu side on a free transfer in the summer.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is not starting for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg meeting with Tottenham, and Arne Slot has explained the thinking behind his decision