The Reds are reported to have drawn up a three-man wishlist to succeed Alexander-Arnold, with stars from the Bundesliga, Serie A and LaLiga on their radar and contact seemingly made over a bargain dea

It certainly feels like the saga has benefited nobody: not Liverpool, who have had uncertainty shrouding the future of one of their crown jewels; not the player, who has surely been conscious of the speculation; and not even Madrid, who would have wanted him to join in January given the injury to right-back Dani Carvajal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly set to leave Liverpool this summer when his contract expires, with the right-back expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer