Slot admits sadness at Trent exit but confident Liverpool will move on

Arne Slot is sad to be losing Trent Alexander-Arnold at the end of the season but believes Liverpool will be able to move on from the right-back.

Alexander-Arnold announced in midweek that he will not be signing a new contract at Anfield, meaning he will be a free agent next month and paving the way for a move to Real Madrid.

The Liverpool academy graduate made his senior debut in 2016 and has won two Premier League titles, a Champions League, an FA Cup and two EFL Cups with his boyhood team.

Regarding his departure, Slot said on Friday: "I think, like everybody who likes Liverpool and who is a fan of Liverpool, we are disappointed for him leaving because not only [is] a good human being leaving the club but a very, very, very good full-back is leaving us as well."

Madrid are hopeful of agreeing a deal for Alexander-Arnold earlier than planned so he can participate in the Club World Club, which starts in mid-June.

While Slot was unable to give much of an update, he did hint the Spanish club will be the next destination for the England international.

Asked about Alexander-Arnold leaving early for the Spanish giants, Slot said: "He hasn't said anything about it himself.

"For me, it's impossible to comment on where he's going and if that is a club that is going to play in the Club World Cup.

"You see by my smile we both know where he's going to, but it hasn't been said yet."

The Dutchman confirmed that Conor Bradley would start at right-back against Arsenal on Sunday and sung the praises of the young Northern Irishman, but he stopped short of touting him as a possible like-for-like replacement for Alexander-Arnold.

Slot said: "Conor is a very talented player. Let's not compare him with Trent. Now already they are also two different types, in my opinion.

"Unfortunately, [he] hasn't been fit throughout the whole season and to become a very good player you have to be available every single week as well, and that's the first step he has to make for next season.

"But we have a lot of confidence in Conor as a very good full-back for Liverpool, and that's already what he's shown, I think, in the past two seasons."

The reaction to Alexander-Arnold's departure has been mixed, with some fans disappointed that the full-back will leave for no transfer fee, and Slot said it wasn't his place to judge how supporters should feel.

"I'm not here to tell the fans how they should react," said Slot.

"I'm hoping that all the energy on Sunday goes to the players and to the support of our fans, and as less as possible to Trent – unless it's positive, then they can do whatever they want."

In terms of possible Alexander-Arnold replacements, Slot was relaxed about the situation.

He said: "We have got Bradley and I have played Curtis Jones over there, so we have players that can play that position. 

"I think it would be a surprise to you if I would tell you now, 'yes, we are looking at this or we're looking at that'.

"We don't talk about contracts over here, we don't talk about positions or if we want to improve the team in certain areas."