Transfer Speculation Rises

News started circulating on Monday evening that European greats, Real Madrid, were plotting an audacious £80m move for Liverpool’s vice-captain, Trent Alexander Arnold, in the 2024 summer months. First and foremost, the stated price of £80m is an absurd amount and in no way reflective of the price that it may take to even enter conversations with the Bernabéu giants. In a period where Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Moisés Caicedo have all moved clubs for more than £100m, that should be the lowest starting price for someone that has been performing to a world-class level for much of his senior career. The inconsistencies that have stemmed in the past twelve months for TAA have been very noticeable, yet can be argued without bias. The sporadic drop-off has been attributed largely to a mass regression of former assets at the club. It must be noted that despite a few teething issues and irritation from the fanbase, I cannot for a moment conceive this Liverpool 2.0 without its current vice-captain at its heart.

https://twitter.com/anythinglfc_/status/1724120090885406768?s=46&t=rxgukmqdoXc4muVFLSx2EQ

Seasonal Improvement and Strategy

This 2023/24 season has seen a huge improvement on the disappointing campaign that preceded it. In relinquishing the services of tired and injury-prone assets, it has allowed this campaign to become the initial phase of true change. The implementation of a new strategy and new players will absolutely take time, with some frustrating bumps almost inevitable along the way. What we do know, is that the 25-year-old hybrid is integral to the next phase of development, therefore, to even consider parting with him at this stage would be both foolish and shortsighted. Liverpool and England fans can see the unique skillset that the academy graduate has, which needs to be embraced and understood. This new and exciting version of Klopp football is very different from the one that came before, yet the team find themselves fighting on all fronts, including the Premier League.

https://twitter.com/joshlfc1909/status/1722615352860045722?s=46&t=rxgukmqdoXc4muVFLSx2EQ

Future Prospects and Fan Hopes

My hope is that a 4-2-3-1 system can be introduced in the upcoming preseason, with an elite level right-back signed that would fully release the vice-captain into midfield. It is not only the team that is in transition, but also some of the players, of which the Real Madrid target is very much one. The sheer fact that he has been added to the Galactico’s lists of wants shows how highly he is regarded, I just hope our manager and fanbase continue to feel the same way. This is a sensational talent that is being maneuvered around a new look side and time must be given to the England international, otherwise he will merely enjoy a world-class career somewhere else.