Jude Bellingham refused to fuel Trent Alexander-Arnold’s transfer link with Real Madrid ahead of their Champions League clash with Liverpool on Wednesday evening.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side travel to Anfield to play Liverpool, who currently sit two points clear at the top of the Champions League table.
Alexander-Arnold returned to training on Tuesday following his hamstring injury but is expected to remain on the bench unless needed.
The England international is set to enter the final six months of his contract with Liverpool and Madrid have held extensive talks to sign him on a free transfer at the end of the season.
A potential move to Madrid would see Alexander-Arnold reunited with England teammate and close friend Bellingham.
But the Madrid midfielder insists it would be ‘disrespectful’ to talk up Alexander-Arnold’s possible switch to Madrid next year.
‘I’ll be playing alongside him next season for England anyway, hopefully. That’ll be a guarantee,’ Bellingham said on Tuesday.
‘He’s a Liverpool player, and I think it’s disrespectful to come to his home today and speak before a huge game and speak about something that could be misconstrued.
‘So it’s important to take that pressure off him. He’s a really good mate of mine and I want him to do really well, normally. Obviously, not tomorrow night.
‘We’ll see what happens, but he’s a Liverpool player.’
When asked about Alexander-Arnold in his press conference, Ancelotti replied: ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t talk about Alexander-Arnold, he’s not my player.’
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