According to reports, Trent Alexander-Arnold wants the Reds to meet two requests before he signs a new contract, giving Liverpool new optimism that he will stay at Anfield. However, an interesting suggestion has been made by an observer that the right-back should move positions in order to be really recognised as a global superstar.

After making his Liverpool debut in October 2016, the 25-year-old star has contributed to an amazing 102 goals (19 scored and 83 assists) in just 317 games for the team. It is fair to say that he is one of the team’s most impactful players. Alexander-Arnold, who is currently considered as one of the top right-backs in the world of football, is always in the news these days since his contract at Anfield is set to end in precisely nine months.

In fact, Real Madrid has been heavily connected to him, and on January 1st, 93 days from now, they will be able to begin negotiations with him over a pre-contract deal for a move to the Bernabeu.

Even so, we understand that Alexander-Arnold will choose Liverpool, his hometown team and the side he still likes, when it comes to choosing his future, despite all the rumours that he may be enticed by a lucrative free transfer move.

The two demands that the homegrown star has made of Liverpool before signing a contract have been revealed in a new report, despite the fact that any agreement will also probably make him the second-highest paid player in their history, behind only Mo Salah.

Furthermore, Alexander-Arnold wants Liverpool to reassure him that they can match his prize aspirations and that they can bolster the team through transfers, according to Football Insider.

Real Madrid, who are the overwhelming favourites to win the Champions League this year and have an amazing record of six titles in the previous 11 seasons, can, however, quickly cross off both of those boxes for the Reds. Not only did they sign Kylian Mbappe as a free agent, but they are still very appealing to the best players in the game.

Alexander-Arnold: Reds great divulges worries about Real Madrid; player alludes to staying 

Although Alexander-Arnold has, understandably, refrained from making any public declarations regarding his contract demands, the player has recently sent hopeful messages to his followers, indicating his wish to stay.

I’ve stated my desire to lead the team from the beginning. After last weekend’s victory over Bournemouth, Alexander-Arnold told the reporters, “That is a goal of mine; whether that happens is out of my hands.”

“I will say that my goal for this season is to play for Liverpool, at the very least.”

When asked what incentives might get him to sign a new contract, he responded, “Trophys are always the most important thing.” I want to take home awards.

“Last season, we almost won the championship and took home a cup. I guess the (quadruple) was on for a time.

“Although it is still early in the season, we are looking really good, but we need a lot of consistency.” We want to take home as many prizes as we can, even if it will be challenging.

Despite that, our sources have confirmed that officials from Real Madrid are in ‘constant contact’ with his entourage and with the player’s financial interests handled by his father, Michael Arnold, himself a die-hard Liverpool supporter.

Former Liverpool hero Mark Lawrenson, meanwhile, has come clean on the two factors that will likely see Alexander-Arnold playing for the European giants next season.

“I don’t think Trent will be at the club at the start of next season – I can see him being attracted to playing at Real Madrid. He has an England teammate in Jude Bellingham there and I can see him playing for them next season,” Lawrenson said.

“Would you not have signed your contract by now if you truly wanted to continue at Liverpool?

Trent definitely wants to travel and play someplace on the continent, in my opinion. He won’t likely decline the chance to play for Real Madrid, in my opinion.

Reds urged to play Alexander-Arnold in new position / Sevilla star eyed as heir

While operating in something of a hybrid midfield role in the latter months of Jurgen Klopp’s reign, Alexander-Arnold is now considered a right-back first and foremost but with a licence to roam forwards and support the attack as often as possible.

However, pundit Robert Earnshaw reckons a permanent move to become a right-winger would be the best way to get the best from the player and transform him into a truly global superstar.

“We have to get away from playing Trent Alexander-Arnold as a full-back, for me. In my opinion, the best thing about Trent Alexander-Arnold is everything is going forward,” Earnshaw began on Sky Sports. “I’d play him anywhere in midfield, anywhere, it doesn’t matter. If it’s (for) Liverpool, maybe I’d put him on the right-wing.

“I saw Gareth Bale go from a fullback who was struggling, couldn’t defend, getting beaten, to this global superstar. He was slowly going up the pitch but he had all the ability in the world – very similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold. But slowly, he went forward, left-wing to attacking midfielder, and then ended up pretty much as a striker.

“But it’s because everything about him was going forward, same thing with Trent Alexander-Arnold. He has to play in a higher position. Get rid of thinking about him as a defender, because he is a once in a generation type of player and he needs to be in a higher position doing the best things going forward.”

Elsewhere, Liverpool have been linked with a number of different players as a replacement for Alexander-Arnold were he to leave.

And one option who has reportedly emerged on their shortlist is breakout LaLiga star, Juanlu Sanchez.

That comes after a report last week claimed Arne Slot had expressed his preference for the capture of Jeremie Frimpong as one of three top targets the Reds were looking at from Bayer Leverkusen.