Andy Robertson: Trent Alexander-Arnold speculation will not distract Liverpool

Liverpool’s Andy Robertson insists the players have not been affected by the increasing speculation surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold and remain focused on winning another Premier League title.

Wednesday’s win over Everton re-established their 12-point lead over Arsenal with eight matches to go.

But alongside the title race there is the long-running saga of Alexander-Arnold being linked to Real Madrid, which intensified last week, in addition to the expiring contracts of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

But having recovered from back-to-back defeats, in cup competitions, for the first time this season prior to the international break, Robertson believes the squad displayed their professionalism with a hard-fought win in the Merseyside derby.

At the end of that game Alexander-Arnold, currently sidelined by an ankle injury, made a point of congratulating every team-mate as they came off the pitch at the final whistle with the Liverpool-born academy graduate enjoying the win as much as anyone.

Robertson said: “Trent’s head is not great because he’s injured. He hates being injured. None of us like being injured but it hurts Trent a little bit more. That’s all he is focused on.

“It is impossible for me to say we have not seen all the noise and everyone commenting on it.

“But for us our focus is for him to get back fit and healthy. Once he does that, what will happen, will happen. No one knows that yet.

“People can talk and speculate but for us we want Trent back very soon.”

Everton could do their neighbours a favour by taking points off Arsenal in Saturday’s early kick-off at Goodison Park.

Even if the Gunners do win the the gap will still be nine points before Liverpool go to Fulham on Sunday.

But Robertson said the