Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has warned Arne Slot that the humiliating loss against Newcastle United in the League Cup final was a “look into what life might be like without Trent Alexander-Arnold” if he departs Anfield.
The future of the England right-back remains unresolved, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season – meaning he can depart for nothing if he fails to renew his deal. Amid this uncertainty, the academy product has been the subject to apparent interest from Real Madrid, who made a speculative bid for his services in January.
As things stand, the Kop hero remains a focal part of Slot’s side, with the 26-year-old having played 39 times in all competitions, scoring three times this term. In the wake of Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat in the League Cup final at Wembley this month, ex-Reds full-back Warnock has revealed his concerns as he assessed the void that Alexander-Arnold could leave at Anfield if he is to leave this summer.
The 33-time international hobbled off during his team’s defeat against PSG in the second leg of the Champions League last-16, meaning he missed the subsequent cup final loss versus the Magpies. Youngster Jarrell Quansah deputized for the Liverpool vice-captain on the day, with Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez also sidelined through injury.
Asserting that the absence of Alexander-Arnold was glaring against the Toon as the Reds slumped to a humbling loss, Warnock exclusively told Liverpool.com : “The loss to Newcastle was a bit of a look into what life might be like without Trent Alexander-Arnold, if he is to leave this summer.
“In big games like that you need someone who’s able to find a killer pass or calm the game down and take the pressure off with their ability on the ball. Trent is capable of doing those things. He has his defensive vulnerabilities, but he gives the team so much on the ball and going forward.
(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
“In the end though, I thought Newcastle were the better team on the day and they were just at the races more than Liverpool were. The way they set up was impressive and they had the better of Liverpool from the off.
“If Arne Slot could go back I think he would’ve made changes a bit earlier. I don’t even think it’s just down to that game. If you look back at the Paris Saint-Germain and Southampton games, he should’ve freshened things up a bit and made more changes.
“Liverpool played against Real Madrid this season without Trent and beat them, so it shows they can cope without him. They coped with losing players like Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard, they can cope without Trent. It’s about making sure you replace these players with quality.”
(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Warnock’s opinion that Alexander-Arnold will be missed on Merseyside if he is to move on in the coming months is one shared by Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson. Speaking to Liverpool.com, the ex-Match of the Day pundit gave his opinion on the saga concerning the West Derby-born ace’s future.
He said: “I think Trent will go. You can’t blame him, he’s won everything there is to win at the club. He’s done great. People say he’s not great defensively but he gives us so much going forward. He’s such a good player as well.
“There is no other right-back in the league who is basically a midfield player, whose passing range is just brilliant. You can bring someone else in but they won’t be like Trent – on the ball he’s just sensation. Every full-back gets beat, it’s the way that it is. But he will be a big, big miss.”
