“That would be a very, very difficult deal” - Paul Robinson warns Liverpool about signing 21-year-old as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement 

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has warned Liverpool against signing Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold. He believes the Blues wouldn't sell a key player to a title race rival.

Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Alexander-Arnold have their contracts expiring next summer. The Liverpool trio, who played instrumental roles in the club's success during Jurgen Klopp's reign, have uncertain futures at Anfield. While talks are ongoing, the club and the players' agents have yet to agree on new deals.

Alexander-Arnold has been the subject of interest from Real Madrid, and the Reds have been linked with replacements. One, in particular, is Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto, who has received a lot of game time this season in the injured Reece James' absence.

Chelsea are in second place, four points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand. Robinson believes the west Londoners would be reluctant to let Gusto depart for Anfield.

He told Football Insider:

“No chance. He’s been playing a lot for Chelsea with the injuries Reece James has had. There’s a lot of players who have played with James who will tell you he’s one of the best full-backs they’ve played with, but his injury record…"

“You look at what Chelsea are carrying now and what their model is, we ridiculed the amount of players they have, but with a win at the weekend they could go top of the Premier League," he added.

“Malo Gusto has been a key part of that and Chelsea will not want to sell an important player to a title rival. I think that would be a very, very difficult deal for Liverpool to do," Robinson concluded.

The Reds will next face Leicester City in the Premier League on Boxing Day (Thursday, December 26).

Jamie Carragher offers advice to Trent Alexander-Arnold on how to leave Liverpool amicably if he joins Real Madrid

Former player Jamie Carragher has advised Trent Alexander-Arnold to sign a new contract with a release clause if he wants to leave Anfield for Real Madrid. The pundit believes it would cool some of the outrage his exit may cause among Liverpool fans.

Carragher feels the club's supporters would be upset if they lose such a talented player on a free transfer next summer. In a recent column for The Telegraph, the former Reds defender wrote:

"That is the main issue for Trent – the free transfer. As with Macca, the supporters will feel that the club are losing an £80 million player for nothing, and they will not like it."

"My advice to Trent would be to sign a new deal, with a reasonable buyout clause, that will give the club some value if Real or anyone else decide to meet it," he added.

Alexander-Arnold has contributed 19 goals and 85 assists in 331 appearances for the Merseysiders. The England international has won the Premier League, the Champions League, and the FA Cup, among other accolades with the club.