Trent Alexander-Arnold’s potential move to Real Madrid would rival the signing of Kylian Mbappe, according to former Red Jermaine Pennant.

Alexander-Arnold is into the final year of his contract and Madrid are said to be keeping tabs on the right-back, who turned 26 earlier this month.

Alexander-Arnold reached 100 goal involvements for the club earlier this season and Pennant believes his unique skillset makes him a very attractive option to the Spanish giants.

“I don’t think there is a right-back out there that can do what he does going forward, the goals, the assists, the creativity he’s got and the passing range, you don’t really see that, so to lose that would be a massive blow,” said Pennant, speaking at the Copa del Cure Leukaemia tournament at St George’s Park. 

“Anyone with that kind of ability can easily fit in at Real Madrid. If Real did sign Trent it would be an absolute coup. It would be as big as the Mbappe signing because what he brings is something no one else can, but fingers crossed he doesn’t go.”

Alexander-Arnold is one of three players in the final year of his contract along with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, with Liverpool yet to secure their long-term futures despite talks.

The trio are free to speak with foreign clubs about a free transfer from 1 January and Pennant says Liverpool’s control over the situation weakens with each passing day.

“When you’re in the last year of your contract, you do have to start thinking about your future,” he said.

“I’m sure Trent will want to stay at the club as a scouser and Liverpool born and bred, but it’s out of your hands if the club are not willing to offer you what you feel you deserve and you have to put yourself first.

“If a team like Real Madrid is willing to pay you what you want it’s very hard to turn down. He can dictate and determine what he wants and it’s up to the club to match that and if they can’t, there are suitors that will and ultimately Liverpool will lose an asset.”

The off-field uncertainty hasn’t affected results with Liverpool leading the way in the Premier League following Sunday’s 2-1 win over Chelsea.

Pennant believes that new manager Arne Slot has done exceptionally well to get the best out of a squad which is almost identical to the one he inherited from Jurgen Klopp.

“It’s similar to Jurgen but it’s more controlled chaos rather than the carnage Jurgen likes,” said Pennant.

“Arne is more calculated and composed and plays through the middle using Ryan Gravenberch a lot more. I think there’s a bit more process to it than get it out wide and get it in the box as we saw under Klopp’s tenure.”

Discussing Liverpool’s hope for the remainder of the season, Pennant expects his former club to challenge for the Premier League title.

“I think they’re just as good as Arsenal and Man City,” he added. “I think they’ll go on and challenge and there is no reason why they can’t. They are up there for a reason and their ambition now is to challenge those top two.”

Cure Leukaemia is a UK-based blood cancer charity founded in 2003, working to accelerate the process of bringing life-saving treatments to leukaemia patients by funding specialist Research Nurses across the country