Liverpool are treading a very thin line indeed with three of their most senior players.
This season – just as in any other of the past six or seven years – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have been star performers.
Trent and Salah may have been injured more than usual, but they’ve still turned up in a big way. Van Dijk meanwhile has possibly been their best player all year long. And yet, all three have just over one year to run on their contracts.
For now, Alexander-Arnold may well be the one Liverpool fans are most anxious about losing. With Real Madrid said to be actively sniffing around the right-back, the prospect of losing him has become a real one. And yet, there’s a slim chance that that could have a silver lining for the Reds.
Liverpool face swap-deal prospect
Now, this prospect may have very little basis in reality, but should Madrid push hard and convince Trent that his future lies in the Spanish capital, then Liverpool might have a way of biting back.
Of course, they could bank the money and reinvest it smartly back into the squad. The fee would surely be close to or over £100m even with one year left on the 25-year-old’s contract.
But our idea is that Liverpool ask Madrid for a straight swap deal. The Reds have recently been linked with an audacious swoop for Real forward Rodrygo Goes. With Rodrygo reportedly carrying an £85m price-tag, it might be the only time Liverpool can realistically afford him.
Obviously, we’d prefer to keep Alexander-Arnold and tie him to a long contract at Anfield. But if that isn’t going to be an option, then this is one way Liverpool can come out of it with their squad somewhat enhanced.
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Why do Liverpool want Rodrygo
It must be said that Rodrygo has been claimed to be committed to staying at the Bernabeu. However, with Kylian Mbappe on the way – plus potentially Trent – someone will have to be sacrificed.
From a Liverpool point of view, this obviously wouldn’t be anything like a straight swap. Rodrygo is very much a forward who can play across the front line.
But should the Reds also lose Salah – and even potentially Luis Diaz – the Brazilian’s signing would soften the blow. Rodrygo could slot straight in as a starter for the new manager.
He’s already proven at an elite level and at just 23, has years ahead of him to get even better.
Again, this isn’t something that we’d necessarily like to see happen, although if there is a chance to sign Rodrygo then Liverpool should try and take it.
In this scenario though, the only way may be to accept defeat on Alexander-Arnold. We don’t see that happening anytime soon, but it’s something to keep up the sleeve.