Trent Alexander-Arnold's future remains up in the air as he approaches the end of his Liverpool contract and has been linked with Real Madrid, but there is hope that the club's title celebrations could change his mind
Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold was seen deep in conversation with club chief John Henry during the team's Premier League title celebrations on Sunday amid increasing doubt over his future. The boyhood Reds star is set to become a free agent this summer and has been strongly linked with joining Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold has been a Liverpool player since the age of six and has won nearly every major trophy possible with the club. That includes his second Premier League title after their thumping 5-1 victory over Tottenham this weekend, with many asking how he could now look to leave.
He was one of three senior Liverpool stars in a similar contract position this season, but Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk both decided to commit their futures to Liverpool by signing extensions, giving hope that Alexander-Arnold might do the same.
And there is now even more hope from the fanbase that being part of the title celebrations at Anfield on Sunday might be enough motivation for the England international that something special might be happening under Arne Slot.
That sentiment will only grow after Alexander-Arnold was pictured having a chat with Liverpool owner Henry pitchside as the club partied at the end of their win over Spurs to confirm their 20th top flight title.
The Reds won the crown with four games to spare in front of jubilant fans, who were able to witness their celebrations - unlike in 2020 - and Alexander-Arnold's conversation with Henry was seen in front of those anxiously-watching supporters.
They will certainly hope the American was persuading the 26-year-old to sign a new deal amid calls for him to make a U-turn on his future.
Alexander-Arnold may have given hope of doing just that as he relished Liverpool's title party, joining his team-mates for a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone, jumping on the back of team-mate Ibrahima Konate and dancing with Andy Robertson.
His team-mate Cody Gakpo also hinted that the final decision over his future hasn't been made, despite claims of a pre-agreement with Spanish giants Real. Speaking after the game, the Dutchman said: "Now with Mo [Salah] and Virgil [Van Dijk] staying, and hopefully Trent as well, they can keep building."
Speaking after scoring the winner at Leicester last week, Alexander-Arnold remained coy on his long-term future: "I have said all season that I am not going to speak on my situation. I am not going to go into the details.
"But days like today are always special. Scoring goals, playing games, winning games, winning titles - they are special moments for me and I am glad to do my part."
The right-back - who has featured 351 times for the club - later posted a video of himself singing along to Freed From Desire in the changing rooms with his team-mates as Liverpool fans filled social media with messages for him.
"You won't get this anywhere else, Trent," one read. Another wrote: "Best of luck to you Trent. Hope you stay, but if not at least it was a beautiful end of the story."
"If Trent is involved in these celebrations with his boyhood club and still wants to leave I have no words," a third said. One fan was much more confident, replying to the video of him celebrating with: "Convinced you’re staying now".
Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury asked a similar question live on commentary: He said: "How could Trent consider walking away from this? The days for which he has lived."
The title celebrations also saw Arne Slot embracing chief Richard Hughes on the pitch - after the club made the two key appointments last year that proved to be pivotal in their title triumph.