"There's never been anyone like him in world football" – John Arne Riise delivers verdict on Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving Liverpool

Former Liverpool left-back John Arne Riise has insisted that Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to depart his boyhood club after the end of the ongoing season. 

Alexander-Arnold, 26, has been a major topic of discussion due to his contract situation. The right-back, who is reportedly a Real Madrid transfer target, has yet to pen a new contract at the Reds with the star in the final year of his deal.

During a recent chat on Amazon Prime, Riise lavished praise on Alexander-Arnold and made a bold transfer prediction about the Englishman. The Norwegian said (h/t Liverpool Echo):

"There's never been anyone like him in world football or at Liverpool. He is exceptional. In modern football, you have to be good defensively and offensively, he is exceptionally good going forward with his passing and vision. In his programme notes, he mentioned he can see something building under Slot and it's clear it's going to be a good journey... will it be with Trent long-term or not?"

Riise, who helped the Reds lift seven trophies as a player, continued:

"These players keep giving different signals, whether they're going to stay or go. Based on what is said there, he will stay because he enjoys the football and Slot has come in and changed him as a player, especially defensively. I think he's happy, but it's more about Trent himself and what he wants from his career."

Suggesting Alexander-Arnold will end his Reds spell, Riise concluded:

"Does he need something new, or is he happy here? That is the big question. So in a word: stay or go? I think he will go. If he does depart his boyhood club, Slot has Conor Bradley more than ready to step up but it will still be a major blow if Alexander-Arnold departs, especially on a free transfer."

How have Liverpool fared so far this season?

Last season, Liverpool finished third in the Premier League standings with 82 points. They won the EFL Cup and reached the quarter-final stages of the FA Cup and the UEFA Europa League under legendary Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.

Since Arne Slot's arrival, the Reds have been a force to be reckoned with. They have recorded 22 wins, three draws, and just one defeat in 26 outings across competitions, scoring 63 goals and conceding just 22 total goals along the way.

Liverpool are currently atop the Premier League table with 42 points from 17 games. They are also atop the UEFA Champions League table with 18 points from six matches and will take on Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup semi-finals.