Liverpool duo expected to leave for Real Madrid next summer amid contract dispute

Graeme Souness has suggested that Trent Alexander-Arnold may already be preparing to move to Real Madrid next summer, with Virgil van Dijk potentially joining him at the La Liga club.

The Liverpool legend, who has both played for and managed the club, thinks Alexander-Arnold is an ideal fit for Real Madrid and believes Van Dijk could enhance their defense. Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, and Mo Salah are all in the final year of their contracts at Anfield, with no new deals in sight.

Salah has disclosed that he has not yet discussed a new contract with Liverpool officials following their 3-0 victory over Manchester United, raising concerns that the trio might leave on free transfers next summer, as they will be eligible to negotiate with foreign clubs from January.

Souness, who was with Liverpool from 1978 to 1984 and later managed them, views Alexander-Arnold’s substitution against Manchester United by new manager Arne Slot as a negative sign. The 25-year-old England right-back was taken off with 14 minutes remaining, shortly after expressing frustration about being substituted against Brentford.

“Trent Alexander-Arnold is tailor-made for Real Madrid in terms of the way he plays, and he’s got an unbelievable delivery – not to mention he’s good friends with Jude Bellingham,” Souness said on William Hill’s *Up Three Up Front* podcast.

“He could end up at Madrid and that message may already have been relayed to Liverpool. I don’t see any obvious reason to take Trent off against Manchester United, other than if they know he’s leaving.

“They’d still want to keep him onside for the rest of the season, and he’ll leave for free at the end of it. The message that he’s made up his mind may already have been relayed to the higher-ups at the club. He’s running down his contract. If you’re going to leave Liverpool, where else other than Real Madrid can you really go to better yourself?”

Van Dijk, 33, has also not begun talks on a new deal, making him a desirable free agent next summer. Despite this, Souness hopes the trio remains at Liverpool.

Souness commented, “Liverpool can’t let all three of Trent, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk leave. I could see Trent at Real Madrid, and I could see Van Dijk there as well.

“The point being that if you’re leaving Liverpool, then the only place you’d really want to go is Madrid. Van Dijk might be getting older, but he’s an athlete. You can still get a couple more good years out of him. He’s a better player than what Real already have in the likes of Antonio Rudiger.

“He’s more of a footballer, he’s a better athlete, better in the air and better on the ball. I wouldn’t even compare the two.”

Souness also believes that if Alexander-Arnold departs, Liverpool already have a suitable replacement in 21-year-old Conor Bradley. He added, “Arne Slot brought Conor Bradley off the bench against both Brentford and Manchester United.

“He’s a proper player. Slot may have just wanted to give him a feel for what it’s like to play at Old Trafford, to keep him onside. He’s giving Bradley a few minutes and just making sure he’s happy.

“He’s certainly taking a good look at Bradley. It’s forward planning from Slot. He’s been told he’s good enough for the first team and he wants to see that for himself.”