The transfer window may have just closed a few weeks ago but there's already storylines potentially in the works for this time next year in the form of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Liverpool fullback's contract is up next summer and he's still yet to sign a new deal, with Real Madrid supposedly chasing his signature to unite him with fellow England teammate Jude Bellingham along with Kylian Mbappé.
There's no doubt that Trent has the technical ability to compete with the best of them. It's not hard to argue he's the best ball striker in the Premier League at the moment and potentially in Europe as well, but his defending capabilities has been suspect at times.
The fullback has been substituted in four of Arne Slot's five competitive matches in charge so far at Liverpool and hasn't been shy to show his displeasure at being subbed off at times, fueling speculation that he might be off on a free transfer next summer.
Kenny Cunnigham Gives Scathing Assessment on Trent Alexander-Arnold
Kenny Cunnigham hasn't been shy on being critical of Liverpool players with Wataru Endo coming on the receiving end of a Cunningham rant last December in the past he he didn't shy away on his assessment of Trent while on Premier Sports before Liverpool's Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
When asked about whether he thinks Slot fancies Trent, the ex-Ireland International was brutally honest in his belief that Trent isn't good enough defensively to play for Liverpool.
I think he's smart, Slot. I don't think he's overly pleased with what he's seen, not just while he's been in the door but he'd known a lot about Alexander-Arnold before he came to the club.
He can't be overly impressed in terms of Alexander-Arnold, you look at him as a defender. How good of a defender is he? Not very good. That's pretty obvious.
Cunningham along with Damian Delaney both then spoke about the breakthrough of Conor Bradley last season and how the Tyrone teenager could be the perfect replacement for Alexander-Arnold.
Delaney however was more reluctant to see Alexander-Arnold go and said they should "throw the kitchen sink" in an attempt to keep him. When asked if he had the same sentiment Kenny Cunnigham gave a ruthless take.
I would have got him out the door this summer to be honest with you, I think they have missed the boat if they let him go on a free transfer.
It didn't end there as Cunnigham continued talking about Trent's positional ill-discipline.
You're right he wanders everywhere, he does what he wants. He wanders everywhere, ill-discipline.
I think he's been indulged at this football club and this kid coming in Conor Bradley is the future.
Kenny Cunningham isn't totally convinced by Trent Alexander-Arnold's quality 😬
"How good of a defender is he? Not very good. That's pretty obvious." 🗣️
"I would have got him out the door this summer to be honest with you." 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/n6GByMeIqw
— Premier Sports Ireland (@PremSportsIRL) September 21, 2024
Trent Alexander-Arnold went on to record an assist in the first half of Liverpool's 3-0 win over Bournemouth, making it his 100th goal involvement for his boyhood club with 19 goals and 81 assist.
At only 25-years old there's still plenty of career ahead of Trent and Liverpool may regret letting him walk on a free.
