Trent Alexander-Arnold has been the subject of plenty of headlines in recent weeks amid uncertainty over his long-term Liverpool future.
But the England international was impressive on Saturday as the Reds cruised to 4-0 victory over Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup.
Alexander-Arnold is currently wanted by Real Madrid, with the LaLiga giants hopeful of luring him to the Bernabeu at a time when Dani Carvajal is starting to wane.
A summer move is likelier but Real have shown interest in the defender this month. Liverpool, however, have no intentions of selling.
Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup on Saturday
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Alexander-Arnold was recently criticised for a flat performance in a 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield.
He struggled that day, with the Reds being forced to settle for a point after Amad Diallo – who knocked them out of last year’s FA Cup – struck with just 10 minutes remaining.
Eyebrows were raised in midweek when Alexander-Arnold was left out of Arne Slot’s starting XI for their 1-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham, with Conor Bradley selected instead.
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But the 26-year-old drowned out the noise on Saturday with a stunning goal as Liverpool continued their quest for an unprecedented quadruple.
Liverpool decided to tinker and make changes to their squad, with Slot handing a debut to 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha.
It took them a while to find their rhythm but, when Diogo Jota struck in the 29th minute after good work from Darwin Nunez, there was only ever going to be one winner.
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Alexander-Arnold’s thunderbolt strike came just before the interval, with the versatile star powerfully blasting the ball past Billy Crellin, while Jayden Danns and Federico Chiesa netted late on.
It should, really, have been more for Liverpool. They dominated proceedings and Nunez, not for the first time, was wasteful with his finishing.
Yet Slot will be pleased that his team have avoided a potential banana skin as they look to win the competition for the first time since 2022.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold was impressive on Saturday as Liverpool beat Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup
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Alexander-Arnold made way for Bradley with 60 minutes left on the clock.
However, while he impressed, it will still be interesting to see what happens in the coming days and weeks ahead.
Alexander-Arnold could yet decide to stay at Liverpool. A product of the club’s academy, it’s abundantly clear just how much he loves the Merseyside giants.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota (pictured) were among the scorers for Liverpool on Saturday
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But Real Madrid are Real Madrid. They don’t come calling often and, when they do, players tend to listen.
Alexander-Arnold will be hoping to feature when his team face Nottingham Forest in a crunch Premier League clash on Tuesday.
Forest have been flying this season and currently trail their next opponents by just six points at the top of the table.
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