Darwin Nunez and Trent Alexander-Arnold

‘Ciao!’ – Trent Alexander-Arnold teased by Darwin Nunez over Real Madrid transfer rumours as Arne Slot admits he ‘can’t wait’ to see Liverpool star

Darwin Nunez poked fun at Trent Alexander-Arnold upon his return to Liverpool after being linked with a Real Madrid transfer.

WHAT HAPPENED?

For much of 2024, the right-back was linked with Madrid but in the end, no transfer came to pass. After playing for England at Euro 2024, the 25-year-old linked up with the Liverpool squad and when he did, team-mate Nunez took the chance to bring up the Spanish giants to his team-mate.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Speculation has built up over Alexander-Arnold’s future as he is now into the last year of his Liverpool contract. He is yet to sign a new deal and if the defender doesn’t extend his Anfield stay, the Reds academy product can speak to European teams about a transfer in January. It remains to be seen if new manager Arne Slot can convince him to sign a new deal.

Arne Slot Liverpool 2024-25Getty Images

WHAT ARNE SLOT SAID

The former Feyenoord boss, who succeeded Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager earlier this summer, spoke to Alexander-Arnold before the Euros and made it clear he is delighted to have him back.

He told The Athletic: “We didn’t speak about his commitment, we only spoke about the way I wanted him to play and how he could fit in that style. He was mainly focused on the Euros at that moment we spoke and I saw some clips from people recently showing me that he looks really fit and sharp. I can’t wait to see him train.”

WHAT NEXT?

Slot and Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool round off their pre-season campaign against Sevilla on Sunday at Anfield, before kickstarting their Premier League season away to newly-promoted Ipswich Town on August 17.