Liverpool no longer have Philippe Coutinho transfer worry as Real Madrid come for key man

We remorse to tell you that the Spanish press are at it once more.

Sizzling on the heels of studies linking Jürgen Klopp to Barcelona, Actual Madrid at the moment are said to be weighing up a switch transfer for Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. Whether or not there’s even a grain of reality in that is very a lot up for debate; any membership on the earth would need the right-back, however most would absolutely have the sense to know that he’s not on the market. This in itself is telling, and reveals that there was a shift in energy for the reason that Philippe Coutinho sale.

As just lately as three years in the past, the 2 Spanish giants nonetheless had essentially the most pull within the recreation. Barcelona may muscle in, unsettle Coutinho, and finally get their manner. Sure, it turned out to be one of the vital catastrophic monetary errors in soccer historical past, however the folly was nonetheless a flex of affect. Now, it’s laborious to think about Liverpool dropping any participant whom they’d somewhat not promote — even when the likes of Actual Madrid do begin making overtures.

That is partly because of the on-pitch modifications within the three and a half years which have handed for the reason that Coutinho switch. In that point, Liverpool have grow to be Premier League, European and world champions: it’s not an enormous leap to say that makes the membership a extra enticing vacation spot.

That applies to potential switch targets, but additionally to these already on the membership. Even the legendary Steven Gerrard practically had his head turned within the pursuit of trophies, however the stars of right now know that staying at Anfield represents one in every of their finest prospects of successful silverware. Alexander-Arnold has already tasted enormous success along with his boyhood membership on the tender age of twenty-two: a transfer to Actual Madrid would maintain extraordinarily restricted attraction.

Additionally, and maybe even extra saliently, La Liga as an entire has fallen considerably as compared with the Premier League. The all-English Champions League closing final season — the second of its sort in three campaigns — was an indication of issues to come back. The commercialisation of soccer typically leaves a bitter style, however each league is attempting it: the easy reality is that the Premier League have executed it finest.

Because of this, even when coping with powerhouses like Actual Madrid and Barcelona, Liverpool can maintain their very own with regards to the monetary facet of issues. In the summertime switch window, La Liga had simply the fifth-highest switch spend in Europe, with the Premier League streaking away within the lead. Liverpool’s window was comparatively quiet, though the £36 million addition of Ibrahima Konaté was not insignificant — and one factor FSG did get executed was a spate of contract renewals.

Amongst these to signal new phrases was Alexander-Arnold. After all, a brand new contract doesn’t assure {that a} participant is not going to be bought: simply take a look at the likes of Luis Suárez. Once more, although, this cautionary story comes from a unique period. Liverpool weren’t even Champions League regulars when Barcelona got here knocking for the Uruguayan.

The underside line is that Liverpool is not going to need to lose Alexander-Arnold in any circumstances, and subsequently they won’t promote. Even when Actual Madrid had it in thoughts to observe Barcelona’s path and get embroiled in a mad bidding frenzy, there’s in all probability no determine that may compel FSG to sanction a sale. Alexander-Arnold is the longer term: fairly presumably the longer term captain, and positively one of many talismanic figures supposed to hold the membership properly past the Klopp period.

Not like Coutinho, he couldn’t be adequately changed. Let’s say Liverpool banked £200 million, or some such different ridiculous sum: what would they do with it? Some would little doubt be channelled into refreshing the ahead line, a lot because the Coutinho cash went on the defensive areas somewhat than a direct equal. Nevertheless, a right-back is a non-negotiable position throughout the staff, so anyone else must be signed. Even with an successfully clean cheque, no person comes near Alexander-Arnold. He’s distinctive.

Fortunately, Liverpool and FSG is not going to must resist this dilemma. They will and can hold maintain of Alexander-Arnold; not like with Philippe Coutinho and Barcelona, there isn’t a switch price that may compel a sale to Actual Madrid.