Will hungry Trent resist the allure of Real's galacticos?

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Sunday brought two pre-assists, two illustrations of remarkable ball-striking ability.

- RICHARD JOLLY

The first showed his skills as a set-piece specialist, the corner that led to Virgil van Dijk’s equaliser against Arsenal. The second was more special, the right-back as a quarterback, with the long-range ball that allowed Darwin Nunez to tee up Mohamed Salah for Liverpool’s second leveller. It was not quite as spectacular as the 70-yard pass for Salah’s Anfield goal against Arsenal last season. It was nevertheless further evidence of a rare ability.

And yet his part in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal may not have been the most notable element of his day. An interview that was aired was notable for his extraordinary ambition. Alexander-Arnold declared he wanted to be remembered as a “legend of the game” and the “greatest right-back to play football”. He wants, he said, to become the first full-back to win the Ballon d’Or.

One interpretation, as the days tick down on his current contract, is that it is a sign his sights are set on joining Real Madrid. The Bernabeu is the spiritual home of grandiose ambition. Equally, any move there should come with the recognition they want the Ballon d’Or vote channelled towards their chosen candidate and, for the foreseeable future, that is likely to be either Vinicius Jr or Kylian Mbappe; Jude Bellingham has been careful to back the Brazilian to win it this year. Real’s current right-back, Dani Carvajal, won Euro 2024 and scored in the Champions League final, but scarcely felt the club’s nomination for the personal prizes.