Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk does not believe teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold’s poor performance against Manchester United is due to the right-back being affected by talk over his future.
Alexander-Arnold gave the ball away before United took the lead at Anfield on Sunday, and struggled in a 2-2 Premier League draw before being replaced by Conor Bradley after 86 minutes.
In the week before the match, sources said Liverpool rejected an approach from Real Madrid to sign Alexander-Arnold in January as speculation over his future intensified.
The English international, like Van Dijk and striker Mohamed Salah, ends his contract in the summer and can officially speak with foreign clubs.
Asked if the speculation had affected Alexander-Arnold’s performance, Van Dijk said: “No. I agree with that.
“Trent has his own people around him, his family and we are there too.
“He wants to perform at his best, like all of us do. That’s the main goal.”
Van Dijk said in October that talks had begun over extending his contract, but after the United game, there was no update on his contract situation.
Salah, who recently said “we are far from any progress” on his own situation, posted a photo on social media of himself with Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk during the match at Anfield on Sunday.
