Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to return to Liverpool training for the first time since announcing his decision to leave the club for a free transfer to Real Madrid.
When his contract expires at the end of June, the Scouser will take his leave but he has yet to face the awkwardness his announcement has created.
Alexander-Arnold is back in Liverpool training as Liverpool plan for a trip to the Emirates Stadium this weekend which will also be the player’s first time coming face to face with supporters since the announcement.
And with the Reds set to play against Arsenal, Arne Slot is getting ahead of some of the drama with comments he made in his pre-match press conference.
Arne Slot will not tell Liverpool fans how to feel about Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving
Speaking to the press ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Gunners, Slot has had the chance to discuss Liverpool losing one of their best players in modern era for free.
He said: “That people have an opinion about us – if it’s Trent or me, or someone else who works in this industry – that’s not new for anyone.
“Probably it’s a bit more for him now than he’s used to and maybe a bit more negative than he’s used to.
“But I don’t follow all of this. I’m not here to tell the fans how they should react.
“I will see Trent in a bit and the boys had a few days off as well, so I will wait and see how he feels about him announcing that he’s going to leave the club. I did speak to him on WhatsApp. But let’s wait and see.
“But I am not here to tell the fans how they should react.
“I think we are all disappointed but Trent is the first one also who said that he would prefer us, as a team and as a club, not to be too much distracted by this announcement.
“So, I’m hoping that all the energy on Sunday goes to the players and to the support of our fans, and as less as possible to Trent – unless it’s positive, then they can do whatever they want.”
