Trent Alexander-Arnold has been the best right back in the world for quite some time now.

So why did Liverpool’s ownership wait until the end of his contract to decide whether to sell or negotiate a new contract with the player? Is that the way to handle one of your most valuable assets? Your vice-captain?

It has become common practice for clubs in the EPL to begin contract negotiations two years before a player’s contract expires.

It is best for the club to reaffirm its trust in the players it wants to keep, avoid losing a player for free, and have time to scout potential replacements.

Some fans understand the apprehension of awarding new contracts to aging players like Virgil van Dijk (33) and Mohamed Salah (32). Still, Trent Alexander-Arnold is only 26—an age considered prime for many footballers.

However you look at it, someone up the hierarchy should take responsibility for that oversight. At the very least, Trent should have commanded a reasonable price in the market, estimated at 80 million pounds.

Delays in Contract Negotiations Created a Loophole

We all thought Trent Alexander-Arnold would play out the better part of his career at Liverpool in a similar fashion to Steven Gerrard.

The thought that the England defender would forever be at Anfield invited laxity to tie the mercurial right back to a new contract.

The delay in offering a contract led Trent Alexander-Arnold to question how much Liverpool wanted to keep him, and the player started considering life away from Liverpool.

Awarding a new contract to your best employees on time is the only way to prove your trust in them and shows you are not taking their services for granted.

Real Madrid Had Been Circling

Allowing a player of the calibre of Trent Alexander-Arnold to run their contract until the last year before beginning negotiations for a new agreement was downright risky and put Liverpool at a weak negotiation point.

Did Liverpool’s owners really believe a free agent in the form of Trent Alexander-Arnold would not attract any interest? Bad mistake!

All Real Madrid had to do was convince Trent Alexander-Arnold that they value him more than Liverpool, and that is what they did.

Liverpool might be a big club, but so is Real Madrid, and moving from Liverpool to Real Madrid is not a downgrade in any way.

Dani Carvajal’s long-term injury pushed Trent right to the top of Real Madrid’s defensive targets.

Real Madrid Showed Liverpool How It’s Done

Real Madrid paid about £10 million for the best right back in the world and committed him to a six-year contract.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid slapped a €1 billion (£840m) release clause on Trent, which clearly indicates that the player is not for sale.

Top Clubs Are Keen On Retaining Their Best Talents

Top clubs are trying their best to secure new deals for their best assets.

Some of the latest stars to sign long and expensive contracts at their respective clubs include Erling Haaland (until 2034) and Lamine Yamal (until 2031).

Arsenal is also rushing to offer William Saliba a new deal despite his current one expiring in 2027. Real Madrid is strongly interested in him.