Arne Slot has no fears Trent Alexander-Arnold will be distracted by rumours of Real Madrid wanting him.
The Liverpool defender is out of contract at Anfield next summer and has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal. This week saw speculation in Spain that Real are set to make a move for the full-back when he can speak to foreign clubs in January if he doesn’t sign a new contract.
But Slot has no concerns that the 26-year-old right-back will take his eye off the ball despite the noise around him.
“These players are used to being linked with all the top clubs on a daily basis,” said the Reds boss. “If they have contracts or not.
“If you think they’re disturbed by these interests, then I think you don’t do justice to how strong they are mentally and what they are used to. This is part of our job.
“I was at Feyenoord last year and they linked me with many clubs and before that and before that. This is part of this world we are living in.
“You just focus on what you have to do. Maybe if you’re 17 or 18 years of age, that could be difficult for you. But Trent has won the league, has won the Champions League.”
Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah are also in the same position as Alexander-Arnold and the Dutchman points to their performances so far this season to prove they’re not distracted.
He said: “Virgil and Mo the same. I don’t think that is a problem for them to perform. That’s also what we see at the moment because they’re playing really well, put it that way.”
Liverpool host Chelsea on Saturday looking to continue their super start to the season which sees them top of the Premier League going into the weekend.
Slot insists the speculation around three of his biggest players isn’t a distraction for him, either. He added: “For me it is not something I am wondering about. If after the last game of this season is played then it might bother me to think 'are they here or not?'
“But my main focus is now the short-term and I think in football it is mainly about the short-term - especially if you are a manager.”
Slot is hopeful keeper Alisson will be back before Christmas after being ruled out for at least seven games with a hamstring injury.
