Trent Alexander-Arnold update is perfect news heading into Liverpool vs. Chelsea

The feel-good factor around and has been .

Not even the most optimistic Liverpool fan could have predicted that the Slot era would have begun in the manner that it has, with the Reds sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table and having won a total of nine matches out of 10 in all competitions.

But all of the above has been achieved against the backdrop of contract issues that, until now, have shown little sign of going away any time soon. The issue of , Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk all being in the final year of their contracts at Anfield is growing larger in Liverpool's rear-view mirror, and the possibility of the Reds losing several players who were integral during its most successful period in decades is very real.

However, an encouraging update regarding Alexander-Arnold's future emerged on Thursday as it was reported by that the right-back's preference is to stay at Liverpool. It is claimed that that talks between the Reds and Alexander-Arnold over a new deal are "progressing well" and that

From January onwards the 26-year-old will be able to negotiate with foreign clubs over a free transfer next summer. Real Madrid is the club that is most heavily linked with a move for Alexander-Arnold, and the .

reported earlier this week that Madrid has made Alexander-Arnold a priority signing, with the England star at the top of Madrid's list of right-back targets ahead of the likes of Pedro Porro and Jeremie Frimpong.

However, the news that Alexander-Arnold is reportedly keen on extending his stay on Merseyside should act as a fillip to Slot and his players ahead of Sunday's meeting with Chelsea at Anfield. The Reds are facing a tricky run of fixtures ahead of the November international break and news that one of the team's star players is keen to stay put gives the club one less thing to worry about off the pitch, and should allow for increased focus among the players on it.