Trent Alexander-Arnold agreement made as Real Madrid star eyes Liverpool reunion

A number of pundits believe Mohamed Salah is missing his former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold following a below-par start to the season for the Liverpool forward

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has had a memorable international break, netting twice for Egypt in their 3-0 triumph over Djibouti to secure the Pharaohs’ spot in next summer’s World Cup. These goals also made him the highest ever scorer in African World Cup qualification.

Despite then being rested for Egypt’s match against Guinea-Bissau, the 33-year-old still returned home to support his team-mates and join in the celebrations as they look forward to their fourth appearance at the finals. Salah has since shared snaps on social media of himself working out in the gym and soaking up the sun abroad, before heading back to Merseyside.

The Reds are set to face Manchester United at home this Sunday. Although Salah has performed well in this fixture previously, he won’t be able to escape the growing scrutiny over his performances, despite his international success.

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So far this season, the Liverpool forward has scored three goals and provided three assists in 10 appearances, but hasn’t found the back of the net from open play in the Premier League since the first match of the season. Both Salah and Liverpool have been underperforming, with pundits quick to speculate on the reasons behind the Egyptian star’s apparent dip in form.

For starters, there is the impact the tragic death of Diogo Jota has had on the entire Reds squad, with Salah moved to tears when joining the Anfield crowd in paying tribute to the Portuguese after the final whistle of the Reds’ win over Bournemouth back in August.

The 33-year-old’s advancing years, natural deterioration and his fresh bumper deal have also been put forward as explanations, alongside Liverpool’s disappointing displays overall. Following a £450m transfer splurge, Arne Slot’s revamped squad are still finding their rhythm, with Salah continuing to build relationships with his fresh teammates.

However, beyond new faces arriving, the exits of several former colleagues has also been highlighted as a factor behind the striker’s subdued start to the campaign. Gary Lineker suggested that Salah was pining for Trent Alexander-Arnold after his lacklustre showing in the Reds’ defeat to Chelsea prior to the international interval.

Such a perspective has since been supported by both ex-Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison and former Arsenal and Chelsea star Emmanuel Petit. “The understanding between Trent and Salah on the right flank was excellent,” Petit said when speaking to Boyle Sports, who offer the latest football betting odds.

“Trent supported Salah with his passing, and they seemed to play with a telepathic connection, understanding each other’s movements very well. Yes, I believe he is suffering from that loss, but as I said, this is in the past. With new signings, it takes time.

“When you join big clubs like Liverpool, especially as the reigning champions, it’s very difficult for new signings to integrate. This reminds me of welcoming new players to the national team after winning the World Cup and Euros, it was very challenging for them to adapt to the dressing room.

“I spoke with some players last week about this, and they said how difficult it was for them. I can understand the situation, especially with the added pressure of a price tag on their shoulders. Salah has likely missed Alexander-Arnold, but I think he’s truly missed the way Liverpool has played for years.”

Meanwhile, Hutchison told online-casinos.com: “Mo Salah’s missing Trent. You know, he’s missing his passes straight into his feet.

“The forward line, even though some of them hadn’t played with Trent, would benefit hugely from his superb 40, 50-yard diagonal balls over the top, sent forward with precision.

“Another player that I think they’re missing massively is Luis Diaz. He scored a good goal against Eintracht Frankfurt. It was typical Diaz. He faced the full-back up, chopped it onto his left foot and stuck the ball in the stanchion.

“So I think the players that have been brought in are exceptional players but at the same time, they miss that continuity. They’ve lost some massive players.”

Hutchison isn’t the only pundit to suggest Liverpool are struggling without Diaz, with former Reds striker Daniel Sturridge making similar claims following the team’s defeat to Chelsea. The departure of Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid may have hit Salah hard, as the England international had been his first-choice right-back throughout his Liverpool career until this season.

Salah has only made more appearances with Andy Robertson (323) than with Alexander-Arnold (319), with the former Red leading the way before his exit. While Alexander-Arnold provided stability behind Salah at right-back for eight straight seasons, it’s been a different story for Liverpool this season with Dominik Szoboszlai, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong all having varied success in the position left vacant by the former Reds vice-captain.

Salah has started nine out of his 10 appearances so far this season, with each of the trio starting three games each. However, Frimpong has been substituted before the hour-mark in two of his games, with Bradley also leaving at half-time twice.

Meanwhile, Szoboszlai was shifted into midfield during one of his stints in the role. It was always going to take time for Slot’s revamped Liverpool to come together, especially with the need to replace the creativity that Alexander-Arnold once brought.

This is partly what led them to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £116m. With the Reds not performing at their best, it’s easy to point to Alexander-Arnold’s departure as a reason why, with Hutchison and Petit being the latest to make such a claim.

If their luck doesn’t turn around soon, the clamour will only intensify – particularly as the England international is on track to be fit for his return to Anfield with Real Madrid on 4 November, ready to show his old club what they’re missing.

However, as Liverpool gears up to resume domestic action after the international break, it’s up to Salah and his squad to quash the escalating narrative about both player and team’s struggles well before they face off against their former ally turned adversary.

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