Arne Slott insists Trent Alexander-Arnold is focused on Liverpool following an approach from Real Madrid this week.
However, when the Liverpool boss was offered the chance to state publicly that the England international would not be sold in January, the Dutchman only said he would play against Manchester United on Sunday.
Slott, as the club's first head coach rather than manager, had the responsibility for contract negotiations and transfers taken out of his hands and, as a result, always refused to talk about them and left them to sporting director Richard Hughes.
Privately, the club insists that the 26-year-old, whose contract expires in the summer, is not for sale, and when the owners of the Champions League inquired a few days ago, they were immediately rejected with a message that they had no intention. to discuss it further.
I see him (Alexander-Arnold) on the training ground every day doing his whore. He is fully committed to us and will play on Sunday.
Slott remained cautious in his press conference but confirmed he had spoken to Alexander-Arnold following Real's approach and did not believe it would have a destabilizing effect.
“I completely understand the question and why you're asking it, but you already know the answer: I've never shared these conversations, not about Trent, not about anyone else, about what I'm talking about with them,” he said.
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Highlights from the Premier League match between West Ham and Liverpool.
“It was a conversation like many others we've had, me and Trent, so let's leave it at that.
“I can tell you that he plays on Sunday and I hope he brings the same performance that he has brought in the last six months, because everyone saw how great he had a first half of the season, how much he is here, how much he wants to win it here.
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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has been asked about their approach to Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold. Madrid are now free to speak directly to Alexander-Arnold over a pre-contract.
“I see him on the training ground every day doing his du**. He is fully committed to us and he will play on Sunday.
“If it destabilized the players at Liverpool if other people were talking about them then we would really have a problem because if you play at one of the biggest clubs in the world everyone is always – 12 months – talking about you, sometimes in relation to other clubs.
“It happens so many times to our players, so if it destabilized them then we would really have a problem, not only now but also in the last six months, because there have been some conversations about our players in the last six months, and I don't think they was it destabilizing at all.”
'Slot in fine form – only question marks remain above the contract!'
Sky Sports News' Sanny Rudravajhala at Liverpool AXA Training Centre:
“Today's bustling press room, full of familiar faces to say hello to, wish them a happy new year and, most importantly, wonder how we're going to prepare the boss for Trent Alexander-Arnold's future!
“Real Madrid's approach was a hot topic as we all prepared to count down to midnight on New Year's Eve. Arne Slott was quite open when I asked him what else we could see from the Liverpool full-back, but he had a direct hit on his future.
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Jamie Carragher discusses the current contractual issues surrounding Liverpool's players and whether Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave his boyhood club for Real Madrid.
“What we do know is that he will play on Sunday. The Dutchman was all smiles, as expected with his side six points clear, and he was also open about how Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk have been good season so far.
“It makes you wonder why their and Alexander-Arnold's futures are still undecided, but it gives us journalists something to talk about and Liverpool fans something to worry about!”
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Trent Alexander-Arnold made a brilliant pass to set up Mohamed Salah for a goal in Liverpool's Premier League clash with West Ham.
Everything Slot said about Alexander-Arnold's future at Anfield
Liverpool head coach Arne Slott:
“Trent can still improve and I have already noticed some improvements this season, but these players are at the top of the world and there is not much room for improvement, although there is always room.
“In my opinion, Trent has taken a step forward defensively this season and in some games he's been outstanding in every part of the game, at times he's been a little up and down and could have done a little better.
“But it's consistency for top players.
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Jamie Redknapp believes Liverpool are 'reaping the benefits' of ongoing contract negotiations for Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk.
“I talk to every player from time to time and it's the same for Trent, so I talked to him.
“I can tell you that Trent is playing on Sunday! And hopefully he will bring performances in the first half of the season, you've seen how much he wants to be here and wants to win here.
“We all saw it against West Ham, the pass from Mo… I see him in training every day, doing his thing. He is fully committed to us and he will play on Sunday.
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Sky Sports' Dougie Critchley and Peter Smith discuss Trent Alexander-Arnold's potential move to Real Madrid – and why Conor Bradley could be his long-term replacement at Liverpool.
“If it destabilized the players at Liverpool if other people were talking about them then we would really have a problem because if you play at one of the biggest clubs in the world everyone is always – 12 months – talking about you, sometimes in relation to other clubs.
“It happens so many times to our players, so if it destabilized them then we would really have a problem, not only now but also in the last six months, because there have been some conversations about our players in the last six months, and I don't think they was it destabilizing at all.”