Trent Alexander-Arnold should never start for Liverpool again with transfer plan clear

Trent Alexander-Arnold should not start another match for Liverpool if they win the title this weekend. Football's worst-kept secret is that he wants to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.

And if that's the case, Liverpool need to stop giving him valuable minutes - especially with nothing left to play for. The Reds will have four exhibition matches remaining if they avoid defeat against Tottenham on Sunday which gives them a huge advantage over their rivals in preparing for next season.

Slot can be fully focussed on his summer transfer plans earlier than everybody else.

And the biggest question of all is whether Conor Bradley can step up and be the heir to the right-back spot.

He has shown glimpses of quality, but can he reach the world-class heights needed to inspire multiple trophy wins?

That's the question only Slot can answer. The very best managers make important decisions with their heads and not their hearts.

There is no harm in giving Alexander-Arnold some ceremonial minutes from the bench to soak in the adulation, but starting him would be at the cost of stunting Bradley's development for sentimentality's sake.

If Alexander-Arnold's heart is in Madrid, Liverpool must start planning for life without him. That starts now, not in July.

Dramatic end

One of the most dramatic final days in English football history is set to unfold today. The top six sides in the National League South are separated by just three points.

Only one team goes up automatically and those in fifth and sixth have stronger goal differences. Bottom of that chain is social media star Marc White's Dorking Wanderers. Grab the popcorn and settle in.