Liverpool have turned down an approach for Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid.

There was no formal offer but an approach was made by the Spanish side.

Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of the season and reports in Spain have said the 26-year-old has informed Liverpool he wants to play for Madrid.

Real are now free to speak to Alexander-Arnold directly about a pre-contract.

But Liverpool, it seems, have no interest in losing the player while fighting for the Premier League title.

Three of their core players - constructors of the glorious times under Jurgen Klopp - are out of contract this summer and yet they have remained almost flawless in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are all in discussions over new deals, with all three out of contract in the summer.

Speaking to Sky Sports in December, Alexander-Arnold said: "I have been at the club 20 years now, I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public - and this one won't be either."

Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher believes Alexander-Arnold's close ties to Liverpool could complicate Real Madrid's move for the England international.

"I don't necessarily think he's off, but I do think it's a different situation to the other lads.

"He's obviously got a huge decision to make. I'm desperate for him to sign [a new deal]. He's a local player, I love seeing local players, whether that's with Liverpool or Everton, really flourishing. He's been one of the greatest local players we've ever had from the city.

"I think the way Liverpool are playing right now and what's looking like they could do in the future looks really exciting. I'm desperate for him to sign. I hope he's the same.

"I do believe Real Madrid and Barcelona have that lure of players from all around the world. I think that's a dream for probably 90 per cent of players around the world to play or end up at their final destination is Real Madrid or Barcelona.

"You see Mbappe and you see that with any player who is maybe rated as the best player in the world. They somehow end up playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona.

"I think with it being Trent and him playing for his local club, I think that makes it slightly different. Different if Trent was playing for Chelsea or Arsenal, he wasn't a London boy. I don't think there would be any question he would make that move.

"I think the fact that he would be leaving his club, that's he been at since the age of five or six. I think it makes it more of a decision than it just being Real Madrid. As I said, nine times out of 10, when Real Madrid want to sign a player and that player wants to go, that normally happens."

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