Liverpool's Slot unfazed by Alexander-Arnold Real Madrid links

Arne Slot says Liverpool remain laser-focused on their Premier League title challenge despite reports that Trent Alexander-Arnold is closing in on a move to Real Madrid.

The England defender has long been linked with a free transfer to the Bernabeu and talks between the 26-year-old and the Spanish giants are understood to be making progress.

Alexander-Arnold is one of three marquee players out of contract at the end of the season, along with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

All three have been able to discuss terms with overseas clubs since January.

Slot's side, who are red-hot favourites to win the Premier League, host local rivals Everton on Wednesday following the international break.

"His situation is, unfortunately, that he is injured, otherwise people would have probably spoken about him that he had one or two brilliant performances for the England team," the Liverpool boss said on Tuesday, referring to Alexander-Arnold.

"But he's injured and for him that means he is fully focused on his recovery and for us that means we are trying to help him to be back as soon as he can.

"For the rest, of course, for eight months it went a bit up and down maybe, with all kinds of talks about him, Virgil or Mo. But we have never been focused on those talks, we have always been focused on what we have to do.

"For Virgil and Mo that is trying to win the Merseyside derby, and for Trent it is making sure he is can get fit as soon as he can."

Slot, whose team are 12 points clear of second-placed Arsenal with just nine games remaining in the Premier League, said he was relaxed despite the ongoing speculation.

"It's a situation that is there for eight or nine months now and all these three players have performed so well under these circumstances so it doesn't affect me at all," he said.

HOME SUPPORT KEY DIFFERENCE IN MERSEYSIDE DERBY

Slot said he expects Wednesday's clash with Everton at Anfield to be similar to their last meeting at Goodison Park in February but with the key difference that his players will have the backing of a home crowd.

Everton held Premier League leaders Liverpool to a 2-2 draw in a thriller to mark the last Merseyside derby at Goodison before their move to a new stadium, with nearly 40 000 in attendance.

As Liverpool close in on the league title with a 12-point lead over second-placed Arsenal, they face a stubborn Everton side who are unbeaten in the competition since January.

"They didn't lose one football game in their last nine Premier League games, so it would be a surprise if they are going to do something different," Slot told reporters on Tuesday.

"And we are top of the league so it would be strange if we are going to change something as well.

"I expect the same but with one difference, that every time the Everton players do something well, they don't get the reactions and cheers... but our players will get that reaction, after every tackle they make, pass they do. And that is different emotion."

While Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 25 Premier League games, they went into last month's international break on a sour note after being eliminated from the Champions League by Paris St Germain on penalties and losing to Newcastle United in the League Cup final.

Slot said he and his team were eager to put the disappointment of March behind them.

"They are, like me, disappointed for us not winning our first trophy and being out of the Champions League," the Dutch coach said.

"Everybody can understand the position we are in at the moment. That we are all looking so much forward to the upcoming nine games. The players are refreshed in my opinion."

Slot brushed aside recent media reports linking defender Trent Alexander-Arnold with a move to Real Madrid, saying there had been several similar rumours about Liverpool players including Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

"We've never been focused on those talks. We've always been focused on what we have to do. For Virgil and (Mohamed) it's trying to win the Merseyside derby. For Trent it is making sure he's fit as soon as he can (be)," Slot said.