'What we do know is' - Liverpool handed new Trent Alexander-Arnold contract verdict

Trent Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of the season and has been the subject of an approach from Real Madrid

Former England international Joe Cole has called on Trent Alexander-Arnold to stay at Liverpool until the end of the season - and backed the defender to sign off his Anfield career with a Premier League title.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, is out of contract at the end of the season and on New Year's Eve, Real Madrid approached the Reds about the prospect of signing the defender in January. Liverpool, though, rebuffed the approach from the European Super League advocates, and Alexander-Arnold started Sunday's 2-2 draw with Manchester United.

However, the right-back was criticised for his performance at Anfield as United - Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes in particular - experienced plenty of joy down Liverpool's right side. But Cole, who spent three years at Liverpool after joining in 2010, has backed Alexander-Arnold to bounce back from his miserable afternoon against United and have a strong end to the season at Anfield.

Reflecting on Alexander-Arnold's situation, Cole told Paddy Power: “A player of his quality doesn’t need to leave in the middle of the season, especially when he’s got the chance of winning another title, which would be a fantastic way to end his Liverpool career.

“What we do know is that every day and week that it goes on, people will talk but I'm sure the lad who's in the eye of the storm will kick right on and keep going, add more trophies to his cabinet this year whether that’s at Liverpool or Real Madrid"

Cole, though, insists it is difficult to scrutinise Alexander-Arnold's contract stand-off as only the defender and Liverpool officials will know the facts of the matter.

“We don’t know the situation [with Trent Alexander-Arnold] and that’s the problem. First of all, Trent’s a superb footballer and a wonderful player," added Cole.

"There are some things that he’s better at than other things, but he is a fantastically talented football player in the middle of a wonderful career.

“What we don't know is the situation with Liverpool and where they see, and where Trent sees it. Does he want to go, or does he want to stay? Do Liverpool want to sell him and cash in?

“Unless you’re Trent, or you’re in the room [for the discussions] whoever talks about it is guessing – we just don’t know. They’ll all be trying to hold face.

“If Liverpool don’t want him, or see him as third priority behind Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk, they’ll want Trent to draw first blood and say ‘I want to leave’, because if he comes out and says he wants to sign a contract, the Liverpool fans will be firmly on Trent’s side."