Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has shut down rumors that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future influenced the right-back’s performance against Manchester United on Sunday.
Alexander-Arnold struggled in the 2-2 draw, giving away the ball in the build-up to United’s opening goal and failing to make a significant impact before being replaced in the 86th minute by Conor Bradley .
In the days leading up to the match, reports emerged that Liverpool had rejected an approach from Real Madrid, who were interested in signing the England international during the January transfer window.
This has increased speculation over the defender’s future, especially with his contract set to expire this summer.
Despite the rumours, van Dijk insisted the 25-year-old’s performance was not influenced by off-field distractions.
Asked if the transfer speculation had affected Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk replied: “No. That suits me.
Mohamed Salah posted this photo of himself, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold…
What does that mean? 👀 #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/OZge8aSgkI
– Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 6, 2025
“Trent has his own people around him, his family, and we are there too.
“He wants to play the best way possible, like we all do. This is the main objective.
The speculation around Alexander-Arnold is part of a wider narrative at Liverpool, with Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah also approaching the final months of their contracts.
All three will be eligible to negotiate with foreign clubs starting this month.
Van Dijk previously said in October that contract extension negotiations had begun, but revealed after the United game that there had been no new developments regarding his situation.
Salah, meanwhile, recently admitted that negotiations over a new deal were far from progressing. “We are far from any progress,” Salah said earlier this month.
Despite ongoing contract dilemmas and transfer rumors, Salah posted a photo on social media after Sunday’s match, showing himself alongside Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk.
