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Liverpool only have 85 days of exclusive contract talks with Trent Alexander-Arnold before he is able to speak with overseas clubs. This is the same for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, of course.

It’s a stark reminder of the current contract situation at the club, whose three best assets will leave next summer as things stand. From January, players are allowed to speak to clubs outside of England and even agree pre-contract terms with them.

While Salah is keen to stay and Van Dijk appears to have few esteemed options away from Liverpool aged 33, Alexander-Arnold has the world at his feet and perhaps Real Madrid at his door very soon. Such a transfer prospect is appealing for any player and the vice-captain could only commit his future to the Reds for the current season.

"I want to be a Liverpool player this season (as a minimum) is what I will say,” he said last month, although did state: "I have always said I want to captain the club, that is an aim of mine and a goal of mine.”

Clearly, this would only happen if Van Dijk moves on, barring a near-impossible scenario where the Dutchman is stripped of the armband. If Van Dijk does agree to a renewal then Alexander-Arnold would have to wait to be bestowed that honour, with it widely regarded that he is indeed next in line.

To be clear, the unavailability of the captaincy alone would almost certainly not be the motivation for a move. But it might play a menial role in his decision-making, in that if the armband does become up for grabs then it is more encouragement to stay.

The other factor in delaying a new contract is to see whether Real Madrid really do have interest in him. So far, only speculative reports from Spain have made the connection, but it is clear to see where he would fit in.

Real have ageing right-back options in Dani Carvajal, 32 (who suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury on Saturday that will likely end his season) and Lucas Vazquez, 33. They are also assembling a new era of Galacticos with Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe all 25 or younger.

Alexander-Arnold, 25, can be forgiven for being tempted by the prospect of a move given the almost guaranteed conveyor belt of silverware he could lift. How Liverpool fare in Arne Slot’s first season will obviously play a massive role.

The early weeks have been extremely promising but we are less than two months into the season with seven more to go, many matches to play and hurdles to navigate. Biding time also works in favour of Alexander-Arnold, if not the sweat brows of Liverpool chiefs.

As long as the Madrid links linger, he has fuel to ask for a contract with more lucrative terms. Speculative websites put Alexander-Arnold as the third highest earner at the club on wages almost half of Salah’s £350,000 weekly packet.

While such reports should always be taken with a pinch of salt, the record deal handed to Salah in 2022 was always going to be a barometer benchmark for colleagues. What is unquestionable is that the ball is in Fenway Sports Group’s court.

The board has to instigate the contract conversations with Alexander-Arnold, who - as things stand - is sitting in a strong negotiation position. While Van Dijk and even Salah might dither at what comes next if a contract doesn’t arrive, Alexander-Arnold - approaching his career prime - will have more obvious external options.

As seen in the summer transfer window, the hierarchy will make no snap decisions on player recruitment and retention. However, a renewal for Alexander-Arnold seems obvious and the ongoing 87-day deadline should not be dismissed as unimportant given the licence Madrid would attain for talks come January.