There’s plenty for incoming Liverpool head coach Arne Slot to sort out this summer.
Slot was officially confirmed on Monday as being the man who will replace Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield hotseat.
And although anybody replacing Klopp would have a big job on their hands, there’s much for the Dutch coach to get excited about.
By and large, the Liverpool squad is in good shape. There’s an obvious need for some activity in the transfer market though, and there’s also the spectre of three massive contract situations to sort out.
Possibly the biggest of these belongs to Trent Alexander-Arnold. With Real Madrid reportedly circling the 25-year-old, a huge summer lies in wait for Trent.
Conor Coady explains Trent Alexander-Arnold situation
It’s a real oversight from Liverpool that they’ve allowed Alexander-Arnold’s contract to run into its final 12 months.
Still yet to reach his peak, the academy graduate is arguably the Reds’ most valuable asset. To be in a position where he can freely talk to other clubs in January is inexcusable, really.
The confidence does still seem to be there that Alexander-Arnold will eventually sign onto a new deal. But with Madrid obviously keen on him, that shouldn’t be taken as a given.
READ MORE: Get to know Trent Alexander-Arnold’s life outside of football
It’s also worth saying that Trent had never played under a manager other than Klopp. The right-back was clearly emotional after waving the manager off at Anfield and according to former Liverpool player Conor Coady, this could be playing a part in why a new deal hasn’t been signed.
“I think him knowing that Jurgen Klopp was leaving and how close he was to Jurgen Klopp,” the Leicester City defender told BBC’s Monday Night Club, when asked about Alexander-Arnold’s contract.
“I definitely think he would be looking into the season and going, okay, how have we started, how are we playing, how much have things changed, are we going to be playing catch-up to teams quite early, and that might be a reason on the contract situation.”
Will Trent Alexander-Arnold stay at Liverpool?
The question of whether Alexander-Arnold stays at Liverpool isn’t the only one Slot needs to answer about his new No.66.
There is still a level of uncertainty over which position the England international should be utilised in the long-term.
As we saw again on Sunday, Trent has been playing as an inverted full-back for the whole season. However, it’s possible that he really wants to be more of a midfielder.
READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold suggests Jurgen Klopp was playing him in wrong position
Whether he not he stays and signs a contract at Liverpool may well depend on Slot’s answer to this issue.
If a breakthrough cannot be found over a new deal or the manager plans to play him in a position Trent doesn’t like, we might well have seen the last of Alexander-Arnold on Sunday. Let’s absolutely hope not.