With Trent Alexander-Arnold being heavily linked with a summer switch to Real Madrid, what would that move mean for his legacy at Liverpool?
Fans Abigail Rudkin and Dan Clubbe tell The Football News Show why he would not be viewed as a club legend if he left, but also how his success at Real, and how the Reds would cope without him, could soften supporters' viewpoints.
Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Everton (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Goalkeeper Alisson and midfielder Ryan Gravenberch are likely to be available but will be assessed after Tuesday's training session.
Meanwhile, defender Conor Bradley has been training with the squad as he returns from injury but whether he plays will have to be "a smart decision" because of how long he has been sidelined.
On Trent Alexander-Arnold, who continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid: "His situation is that he's injured, so we are focused on recovery. We are helping him to be back as soon as he can. We have never been focused on those talks."
Slot denied the contract speculation of Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah has impacted the team, adding: "The three players have performed well under the circumstances."
He said "the players are disappointed" to have lost the Carabao Cup final, as is he, but they "were outworked" on the day by Newcastle.
On the international break coming after that defeat and being ready to get back out there now: "I definitely am, but many of our players played a week ago in important international games. We are all looking forward to the upcoming nine games. The players are refreshed."
He said the break allowed him to "reflect" on their Champions League exit and Wembley defeat and added: "It was far from ideal, but if I have to go out then I prefer to go out to Paris St-Germain. It's an embarrassment and disaster if you lose to Plymouth Argyle because they are not PSG or Newcastle quality."
On the Merseyside derby: "Football-wise I expect the same. It would be a surprise if Everton do something different. And we are top of the league, so it would be strange if we were to try something different as well."
In response to controlling emotions this time around, after receiving a red card in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park: "I would be so surprised if I ever experienced eight minutes of so many controversial decisions at our disadvantage again. If it happens, I hope I act differently - but I can't promise."
Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary of Liverpool v Everton at 20:00 on Wednesday
Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Bournemouth want £45m for 21-year-old Hungary full-back Milos Kerkez, amid interest from Liverpool. (Times - subscription required), external
International breaks are usually quiet but Anfield was far from that last week given all the publicity surrounding the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
But everyone knows about that - and the ongoing rumbles around Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. We also know about the fitness niggles given the jaded surrender of the Carabao Cup to Newcastle United.
So we're after something else and you know Liverpool best.
Tell us, what's the one thing nobody is talking about but really should be?
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool will travel to Asia for their pre-season tour with their first opponents Italian giants AC Milan in Hong Kong, China.
The two sides will be playing to win The Standard Chartered Trophy in the newly opened Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on Saturday 26 July.
Liverpool, who last travelled to Asia in 2023, will also visit Japan for the first time.
Chief commercial officer, Ben Latty said: "We look forward to bringing our hundreds of millions of fans in Asia closer to the club they love."
Everton are plotting a shock £25m move to sign Liverpool's Scotland winger Ben Doak, 19, who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough. (Sun), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesBBC chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.
Lee in Essex asked: Do you think any of the players currently playing in the Premier League would get into their respective club's greatest ever XI?
Phil answered: Mohamed Salah makes a strong case to be in Liverpool's greatest XI, while some of their fans would also try to build a case for Virgil van Dijk. He would be up against huge competition, though, when you think of players like Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson - and going even further back people like Ron Yeats. It is a brilliant debating point.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked who you think should replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back if he leaves Anfield this summer.
Here are some of your comments:
Christian: It's Conor Bradley all the way. The lad has been incredible every time he's played for us. He's already given fans some huge moments - that crunching tackle on Mbappe for one - and he has earned his spot. We only need to buy a good back-up at this point.
Adrian: You need to have two top players in every position. Bradley can definitely be one of those but we do need another - I'd go for Frimpong.
Maritn: Tino Livramento is the obvious candidate to bring in to compete with Bradley for the right back berth. He has had premier league experience with Newcastle.
Jamie: Conor Bradley easily has the capability to take over from Trent. I'd much rather us use our money this window on a striker and to replace Salah or Van Dijk if no contract is agreed. But definitely look to sign a young full-back to back up Bradley.
Jamie: If Slot wanted to buy a new starting full-back I'd recommend Joakim Maehle from Wolfsburg. Can play right and left back, scores and assists. He's a fantastic player.
Image source, Getty ImagesEarlier this week Liverpool defender Jarrell Quansah was linked with a move to Newcastle in the newspapers.
The team on BBC Radio Merseyside were joined by fan Luke Leiva to discuss the possibility of Quansah leaving and he said: "I think it's more speculation, to be honest. He has had a really difficult season, but I think he is finding his feet again.
"He isn't going to go to Newcastle and be a starter, and Liverpool have just given him a new deal. I can't see him leaving, and I would be devastated if he did. I think he has a massive upturn in potential - and he is in the England setup, so Thomas Tuchel clearly thinks that as well."
Listen to more audio about the Reds from BBC Radio Merseyside
If Trent Alexander-Arnold does become the latest to depart Anfield at the height of their powers for a European giant, he will be treading a familiar path.
While the likes of Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Xabi Alonso became great successes elsewhere, departure from Liverpool has not always guaranteed glory.
BBC Sport looks at three players who did not find the grass greener away from Anfield.
Image source, Getty ImagesFernando Torres
After arriving at Liverpool in 2007, Fernando Torres finished third in both the Ballon d'Or and Fifa World Player of the Year in 2008 and scored the winning goal for Spain in the Euros final.
He scored 81 goals in 142 games for the Reds before Chelsea broke the British transfer record by paying £50m to sign a 26-year-old Torres in January 2011.
After controversy surrounding his exit, Torres' form dried up completely in west London. After taking 14 games to score his first goal, he went on to manage 45 in 172 games for Chelsea, and just 20 in 110 Premier League appearances.
He may have won the Champions League and FA Cup in 2012, but did not start either final and was an unused substitute in the latter.
Torres later said on the move: "I always said it was my fault. I was old enough to find solutions but I didn't do it. I won the trophies but I didn't do it every week."
Image source, Getty ImagesMichael Owen
Michael Owen signed for Liverpool aged 12 and had won two Premier League Golden Boots by the age of 19. His meteoric rise continued and two years later he played a key role in a treble of the EFL Cup, FA Cup and Uefa Cup, becoming the fourth English player to win the Ballon d'Or.
Following an injury-plagued 2003-04 season, Owen signed for Real Madrid but struggled for form and consistency among Real's Galaticos. He managed 16 goals in 45 games but returned to the Premier League with Newcastle just a year later for a club-record fee.
He never recovered his Liverpool form, playing just 79 games across four seasons at St James' Park before tarnishing his Anfield legacy by joining arch-rivals Manchester United.
Image source, Getty ImagesPhilippe Coutinho
In January 2013, Liverpool signed a then 20-year-old Philippe Coutinho for £8.5m. Five years later, they sold the attacking midfielder to Barcelona for £142m.
It was an incredible rise in value, even if Coutinho's time at Anfield had been impressive, scoring 54 goals and making 43 assists across 201 games.
With magical free-kicks and a show-reel of spectacular goals, it was no wonder La Liga giants Barcelona came calling (more than once) and it was a phone call that the Brazil international wanted to answer.
But with a large price tag weighing heavily on his back, Coutinho struggled to reach the same heights again.
His first full season in Spain brought only five goals in La Liga. A loan spell at Bayern Munich followed and he again struggled for form on his Barcelona return.
Former Reds team-mate Steven Gerrard convinced him to join Aston Villa in January 2022, but a similar underwhelming pattern has followed and he is currently on his third loan spell away from Villa Park.
And he is still only 32.
The moral of the story? The grass is not always greener...
Liverpool will rival Arsenal for the signature of Frankfurt's 22-year-old French striker Hugo Ekitike during the summer transfer window. (Mirror), external
Nottingham Forest, Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in Udinese and Italy striker Lorenzo Lucca, 24. (Messaggero Veneto, in Italian), external
Manchester City are plotting a move to re-sign Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, 24, with Liverpool also interested in the Netherlands defender. (Teamtalk), external
Liverpool's England defender Jarell Quansah is reportedly interesting Newcastle, but the Reds are not considering selling the 22-year-old. (Athletic - subscription required), external
The Reds are expecting a big proposal from the Saudi Pro League for Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, 25. (Football Transfers), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesAs the noise around Trent Alexander-Arnold's possible summer exit increases, so does talk around who could replace him.
Liverpool could already have what they are looking for in academy graduate Conor Bradley, with the 21-year-old impressing when he has deputised.
But the Reds may also want to look at who might be available in the Premier League and further afield.
Who do you think would be the ideal replacement if Alexander-Arnold does leave at the end of his contract?
Should Liverpool look at homegrown talent or spend money elsewhere?
Image source, Getty ImagesIn my mind, Real Madrid are probably the biggest club in world football so if they express an interest in you then that has to be acknowledged.
That is a reflection of where you are in your career and your status in world football regardless of whether you go or not. It is a huge achievement for them to even be interested in you, let alone trying to bring you across.
Is it a once in a career opportunity? Possibly, yes.
For Trent Alexander-Arnold, there will be different critique because he is from Liverpool and supports them. That means he shares the same identity as the fans.
Football fandom is a lot about identity and that is why there can be such a strong reaction to something you would not do yourself. The difference is that for some, it is more than just about supporting, it is a profession.
Liverpool fans don't have to feel proud, but there will be lots of fans who are disappointed yet appreciative for what he has done to this point.
He is not leaving the club to go and sign for Manchester United or a rival, and I don't think he would have done that.
He hasn't just been good for Liverpool - he has been iconic in the big moments. And he is likely to lift the Premier League title at the end of this season as a Liverpool fan, for only the second time ever in club history.
There are so many different ways of looking at it and it is not as simple as saying 'I am going to stay here until the end of time' because he might not even be wanted in a few seasons by the club. We can assume that Liverpool would still want him but football is a business and we are seeing that now more than ever.
I think it is brave what Alexander-Arnold is doing because he has been very successful at Liverpool. He has been a huge part of their success in the last five or six seasons and fans will always have those memories.
This is an opportunity he has and it is the decision he has had to make. I don't think he owes anyone anything from that stand point as it is his career. Other people telling him what to do misses the point.
It is potentially a huge move for him and for English football, so if he does go then I look forward to seeing how he will perform in a different league and to see if his skills can translate.
He has been a huge inspiration to people who have wanted to play football in England and for Liverpool fans who would love to do what he has in his career for his boyhood club.
Not only that, he is considered to be one of the best creative defenders in the history of the Premier League in such a short space of time. That is a credit to him.
I can understand the sadness but it is about taking a minute to appreciate everything that he has done for the club. He deserves the credit because it has been extraordinary.
Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford
Image source, Getty ImagesPremier League clubs have agreed the dates for the summer transfer window.
The window will open early, between Sunday 1 June and Tuesday 10 June, due to an exceptional registration period relating to the Fifa Club World Cup.
It will then reopen on Monday 16 June and close on Monday 1 September.
Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesI do not think this situation with Trent Alexander-Arnold says much about Liverpool's ambitions to be honest. More about his. The club offered him significant money to stay on, but it seems like he had already decided on leaving. What more can you do?
Could Liverpool have handled it better? In hindsight, perhaps. We have gone through a few sporting directors in the past couple of years and when the job of renewing Alexander-Arnold's contract landed on Richard Hughes' desk last summer, his hands were tied. Trent was in the final year of his contract. At that point, the player is in charge.
So from this perspective, it should have got done before Jurgen Klopp announced he was leaving - as obviously no new deals would be signed with players unsure of the club's future.
But as vice-captain this season, Trent has barely given an interview about the club. They've all been about himself. He celebrated with the 'keep talking' gesture when he scored against West Ham over Christmas, but then infamously put in one of the worst performances of the campaign against Manchester United in January's draw, when more news about his probable exit had leaked.
Real Madrid are the biggest club in the world. If a local lad wants to sacrifice some of his legacy for chance over there, that is his prerogative. It is not all on the club.
If they fail to renew Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk's deals - two players who crucially want to stay at Anfield - there will be uproar.
Liverpool fans blame Trent for this one. They will blame FSG if the other two go.
Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external
Newcastle want to bring Liverpool and England centre-back Jarell Quansah, 22, to St James' Park this summer and hope a £30m bid will tempt the Premier League leaders to sell. (Times - subscription required), external
Meanwhile, the Magpies have paused contract talks with Liverpool and Arsenal target Alexander Isak after the Sweden striker, 25, turned down their initial offer. (Caught Offside), external
Bournemouth will meet this week to discuss the futures of 21-year-old Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez and Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo, 25, amid interest from Liverpool. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist
While Trent Alexander-Arnold's impact and influence on Liverpool is clear, the levels of what the Reds could be losing may not be as high as many might think.
That is because Liverpool might have already seen the best of the 26-year-old.
Alexander-Arnold's attacking output is something that has been very rarely - if ever - seen from a right-back.
Across all competitions since making his debut under Jurgen Klopp in the League Cup in October 2016, the England international has played 349 games, scored 22 goals and provided 87 assists.
In that time he has also ranked first among his team-mates in the Premier League for crosses, chances created, touches and successful passes.
However, how those goals and assists have been distributed season by season shows an interesting trend.
Understandably, his first two seasons in the senior team saw his lowest output for goal contributions as he found his way into the first team. But, 2018-19 to 21-22 saw three of the full-back's best seasons in terms of goals and assists.
The Covid season of 2020-21 is a noticeable outlier among those four campaigns, but that drop-off does correlate with a dip in performance for Liverpool as a whole after winning the Premier League the year before.
From 2022, a more gradual decline becomes apparent.
As shown in the above graph, there has been an overall downward trend in Alexander-Arnold's goal contributions per game since his peak campaigns.
With a realistic possibility that the academy graduate may have played his last game for the club already given his current injury, 2024-25 would be his lowest for goal contributions per game since that difficult 2020-21 season.
According to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, Real Madrid's pursuit of Alexander-Arnold began in 2023, so whether there is an aspect of distraction in the decline in output it is hard to say.
But, at an age where many footballers would be entering their peak years, there is a question whether Alexander-Arnold's have already been seen in a Reds shirt.
Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesNormally, this potential transfer would be a simple case of allowing Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool contract to run out on 30 June and then Real Madrid would conclude the deal.
But this is no ordinary summer.
World governing body Fifa has changed its rules to allow clubs competing in the Club World Cup to sign players before the tournament, from 1 to 10 June.
That would require Real and Liverpool to strike a deal to allow Alexander-Arnold to complete his switch early and be available for the new, expanded tournament in the United States, which runs from 14 June to 13 July.
Alternatively, Real could wait and register Alexander-Arnold mid-tournament, when clubs are allowed to change their squads in a short window between 27 June and 3 July.
Josh Sexton
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesThis week's update on Trent Alexander-Arnold's potential move to Real Madrid has confirmed a lot of Liverpool fans' long-held fears - that the player seemingly wants to go and it's not just his potential future employers playing their usual transfer games out in the media.
The reports have not come as a huge shock, but they are no less disappointing to read. He's a local lad who, to this point, has made it clear he had aspirations of captaining the club he supports, a one-club man and all at a club where - in his own words - it meant more to win trophies because of how his employers operate compared to their rivals.
Now, with the prospect of cashing out on his childhood dreams in favour of being part of "a machine that's built to win" - again, his own words, but about Manchester City - it is no surprise that fans are not showing a lot of desire to hear the logical arguments around a move that admittedly can make sense once emotions are put to one side
Yet Trent's Liverpool career has in many ways been built on emotion so far and he has benefited from the buy-in of the fans, so it should not be a shock to him if those same fans have an emotional reaction to what is seemingly an aspirational U-turn - especially when, crucially, his boyhood club gets nothing tangible in return for his departure.
However, Liverpool supporters will not let it overshadow what they are set to go on to achieve this season. While his legacy as a fan favourite is likely damaged beyond repair now, we can all see that there is a more important task at hand here for our club and that is bigger than one man.
Reds have seen heroes leave in the past and bounced back - and the same will be true this time around.
See more from Josh Sexton at The Anfield Wrap, external
Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport Senior Journalist
Since his debut in December 2016, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been integral to the way Liverpool play.
Sure, he has played the second-most amount of minutes in the Premier League, behind only Mohamed Salah, but his impact within that is undeniable.
A few metrics to illustrate:
Total shots – he is fourth behind only storied strike trio Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane;
Chances created - he has made 514, three more than Salah;
Combined goals and assists - once again, he is fourth behind the above three;
Crosses - this is partly because he is top ranked for corners, but it is hardly surprising to see him and Andy Robertson miles clear of anyone else;
Touches - his 22,180 are clear of Robertson (20,855) and Virgil van Dijk (20,430), with no-one else even close for Liverpool.
And that is just on the ball.
Alexander-Arnold's defending has, rightly, been scrutinised throughout his time at the club, with his on-ball abilities being offered up as mitigation for perceived weakness in defence.
One area where he has impressed has been interceptions, a nod perhaps to his excellent football brain.
Notching up 307, he is far above Van Dijk (248), with no other player managing more than 200 in the same time.
He is also joint-fourth for blocks (42), behind only Van Dijk (112), Joel Matip (60) and Joe Gomez (45) over the same time period.
However, in the spirit of balance, all of Alexander-Arnold's defensive rankings should be revealed.
He does feature at the top of some other metrics - and ones that are not as desirable.
Dribbled past by opposition - this was made public when Manchester City's Jeremy Doku gave him the runaround in February, albeit with no end product. Similarly...
Tackles lost - no other Liverpool player has been beaten in a tackle as many times as Alexander-Arnold (147, second is 136);
Errors leading to shots - only four of his mistakes have ended in goals, but 18 bringing about shots is Liverpool's second highest in the past eight years, behind goalkeeper Alisson.
Taking the good with the bad has been part of the Alexander-Arnold journey at Liverpool and, despite the above, it is hard to argue he has been anything other than an extraordinary positive at Anfield.
Finding someone to replace his output could well be the next conundrum for Arne Slot and Liverpool fans to deal with.
