Talk of future did not impact Trent Alexander-Arnold – Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk does not believe team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold’s poor performance against Manchester United was because the right-back was affected by talk about his future.
Alexander-Arnold had a poor showing in the game when he lost the ball before United took the lead at Anfield on Sunday. Premier League draw 2-2 Replaced by Connor Bradley after 86 minutes.
A week before the game, sources claimed Liverpool had rejected Real Madrid’s bid to sign Alexander-Arnold in January as speculation over his future intensified.
The England international, like Virgil van Dijk and striker Mohamed Salah, is out of contract this summer and can be formally negotiated with foreign clubs.
Asked if the speculation had affected Alexander-Arnold’s performance, Van Dijk said: “No. I’m happy with that.”
“Trent had his own people around him, his family, and we were there.
“He wants to perform in the best possible way like we did. That’s the main focus.”
Van Dijk said in October that talks over a contract extension had begun, but there was no update on his contract status after the United game.
Salah recently said “we are still far from making any progress” regarding his situation, posting a photo on social media with Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk during Sunday’s game at Anfield.
