Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of three big-name Liverpool players out of contract in the summer but Real Madrid had been attempting to force a move through a few months early

Liverpool have been given hope they could keep Trent Alexander-Arnold beyond this season after Real Madrid made contact to sign an alternative instead.

Welcome to the fourth January edition of The Transfer DealSheet — our team of dedicated writers will take you inside the market

Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid this summer on a free transfer after he rejected Liverpool’s offers to tie him down to a new deal. However, there could be a problem now. Real Madrid were free to open talks with Alexander-Arnold over a pre-contract at the start of January.

Danny Murphy, the former Liverpool midfielder who also grew up as a fervent Reds supporter, empathises with Trent Alexander-Arnold 's current predicament. In 2004, Murphy faced his own turning point when he had to leave Anfield, similar to the situation Alexander-Arnold finds himself in amid rumours of a potential switch to Real Madrid.

Real Madrid are reportedly "angry" with how Liverpool star, Trent Alexander-Arnold, has acted amid their growing interest, and they have sounded out the prospect of signing Bayern Munich ace, Joshua Kimmich,

Dani Carvajal's place in Real Madrid's side could be under threat if Trent Alexander-Arnold makes the move from Liverpool, although he has sent a clear message ahead of his return from injury.