Leicester 0-1 Liverpool: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s enjoys iconic moment in special Reds career

It took him five minutes to release the pressure valve, of sorts, that had been building as the doomed Foxes frustrated Liverpool.

The scenes that followed will be tantalising ones for any Liverpool fan who clings to the hope Alexander-Arnold will reject the advances of Real Madrid.

Could there still be a late twist in Alexander-Arnold’s long-running contract situation?

Could the wild celebrations, and the communion between Alexander-Arnold and those fans in one red-drenched corner of King Power Stadium, make him rethink his next move?

There is confidence in Spain that Alexander-Arnold will be at Real Madrid next season – but the leaving of Liverpool will still be tough for a player who grew up in the city’s West Derby district.

He has faced some criticism for not committing to Liverpool, especially since Salah and Van Dijk signed new contracts, but there was none here. This was a show of glorious unity between supporters and the local boy who has won everything during his Anfield career.

It may be those hoping Alexander-Arnold will remain at Liverpool will read more into the celebrations than was there, but it was certainly quite the outpouring.

When he finally ended the defiance of Leicester City keeper Mads Hermansen, it was the 23rd goal of his professional career and the first scored with his left foot.

Alexander-Arnold responded by ripping off his Liverpool shirt before running towards the corner flag, bellowing in joy at the supporters as he was mobbed by team-mates. He then planted his shirt on the corner flag like a player who had reached his personal Everest.

It left Liverpool at the Premier League summit, with the title party set for Anfield against Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday, when three points will complete what has long been a formality. The celebrations may even start earlier depending on the outcome of Arsenal’s game at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

After the final whistle, Liverpool’s players pushed Alexander-Arnold towards the corner where their fans were congregated to take individual acclaim.

Will it make any difference? Will the sight of those fans tug on Alexander-Arnold’s heartstrings or has his head already made the decision to join the Galacticos of Real Madrid?

For now, Liverpool’s priority is the more immediate one of winning that 20th title, an inevitability for some time.

Slot said: “It is never hard to dream, but it is also clear that we are really focused on playing. The boys deserve to have a day off and hopefully they will enjoy that and then focus on Tottenham.”

As for Alexander-Arnold, his future remains undecided – publicly at least – but if this was part of his Liverpool farewell, what a way to go out.