Premier League pundit Paul Merson has said that he’d be shocked if Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold left in January. 

Alexander-Arnold’s contract expires in the summer and it almost feels inevitable that the defender is likely to leave for Real Madrid once he becomes a free agent.

Liverpool are yet to re-sign the England international, and reports have emerged suggesting that Real Madrid have offered the Reds a fee to sign Trent in January, half a season before his contract expires in order for the Reds to get something in return.

According to the Telegraph, the La Liga giants are ‘prepared to pay’ £20 million in order to land Alexander-Arnold this month, rather than as a free agent at the end of the season.

Former Premier League midfielder Paul Merson has said that he would be shocked if Liverpool sold Alexander-Arnold in January. He told Sky Sports News: “20 million pounds in football terms is a cup of tea. That’s hardly anything in Premier League football.

“So, for me, you’ve got to keep him, he’s a special player, let’s make the most of watching him over the next four to five months, because this lad is a talent. 

“If Real Madrid get him then they’ve got an unbelievable talent, especially on a free transfer as well. I’d be shocked if it happened in January, I’d be majorly shocked. I say he’s the best passer of a ball in the Premier League, I think his range of passing is second to none and we have to enjoy him.”

What are the chances of Alexander-Arnold re-signing at Liverpool?

It almost feels as though the writing is on the wall with Alexander-Arnold as it would be nigh on impossible for a player to turn down a move to the Bernabeu.

However, Trent is a boyhood Liverpool fan, and despite only being 26, he has made 333 appearances for the Reds, scoring 20 goals and 85 assists.

There is no doubt that Alexander-Arnold would be sad to leave if he was to depart Anfield, however, the lure of Real Madrid could be too much to ignore.