Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has addressed speculation surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold's future amid reported interest from Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold, whose contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season, is reportedly Madrid's top defensive target following Dani Carvajal's long-term injury. While Madrid were initially expected to wait until next summer to pursue Alexander-Arnold as a free agent, they made an approach to Liverpool recently about a potential move during the current transfer window.
According to reports, the Merseyside club quickly rejected Madrid's inquiry, with the Premier League leaders unlikely to permit their vice-captain's departure this month.
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Speaking at a press conference on Friday ahead of Liverpool's clash with Manchester United, Slot declined to comment directly on the approach but praised Alexander-Arnold's dedication to the team.
"If it would destabilise players at Liverpool if other people talk about them, then we would really have a problem because if you play at one of the biggest clubs in the world, everyone for 12 months long is talking about you, sometimes in relation to other clubs," Slot said.
"That happens so many times for our players that if that destabilises them, then we really would have had a problem not only now, but also in the past six months, because I think there were some talks about our players in the past six months and I don't think that destabilised them at all."
When asked if he could categorically rule out Alexander-Arnold leaving in January, Slot stated: "I can tell you that he's playing on Sunday. I think everybody saw how great of a first half of season he had, how much he is here, how much he wants to win here.
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"He played an incredible game against West Ham. I think we all saw the pass he gave for the second goal to Mo [Salah]. I see him on the training ground every day, working his a--- off, so he's fully committed to us."
Slot confirmed that he had spoken to Alexander-Arnold following the news of Madrid's approach but declined to elaborate on their discussion.
"I speak to every player once in a while," he said. "For Trent that is the same, so yes, I spoke to him. These conversations I have never shared. It was a conversation as many others we had, me and Trent. Let's leave it at that."