Arne Slot has tackled tough questions over Trent Alexander-Arnold's future with the spectre of a move to Real Madrid becoming ever more menacing.
Alexander-Arnold's contract expires at the end of the season and he will be able to talk to clubs in January about a pre-contract agreement.
Spanish newspaper Marca reported on Thursday that Madrid are pressing on with their move for the right-back and thatLiverpool fear he could leave.
Madrid even believe that Liverpool may be willing to sell him in January toat least salvage a fee, according to Marca.
Slot kept his cards close to his chest in Friday's press conference. 'Trent, Virgil (van Dijk), (Mo) Salah were with their national teams… and Trent scored a fantastic free-kick,' he said.
Arne Slot was tight-lipped when asked about Trent Alexander-Arnold's future at Liverpool
Reports in Spain have claimed the Reds are fearful their beloved right-back could leave
'Same question, same answer, there will always be talks and it is normal that you asked.'
Pressed on Alexander-Arnold's contract, he hit back: 'No. I can’t tell you anything about that.'
In September, the 26-year-old insisted that his main driver is to win trophies, not necessarily loyalty to the club he joined at the age of six.
'I want to be aplayer this season (as a minimum) is what I will say,’ he said.
‘I have been at the club 20 years now, I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public and this one won’t be either.
'The most important thing is always trophies if I am honest. I want to win trophies, I am a player who is highly motivated by trophies and winning things and being elite.
‘So that is probably the main factor of anything, if you have a personality that is elite, who wants to win and will do anything to win then that is what drives me.’
Back when he was 18, Alexander-Arnold claimed he would not be satisfied until he had captained Liverpool. He has done that since then, but the armband was never been his permanently.
He said earlier this season that his priority was to win trophies, wherever that may be
Whether the England star's desire to follow in the footsteps of role model Steven Gerrard and wait for the armband full-time remains to be seen.
Alexander-Arnold is not the only concern for the Reds, with Salah and Van Dijk also out of contract at the end of the year.
Salah issued almost a plea for negotiations earlier this season when he suggested there had been no talks, with there still no sign of any agreement with any of the three players.
More to follow.