Andy Robertson insists Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future will not distract Liverpool on their Premier League title run-in.
Uncertainty over Alexander-Arnold’s time at Anfield intensified during the recent international break amid continued links with a summer move to Real Madrid.
The Reds’ vice-captain is currently sidelined with an ankle injury but was in the stands for their Merseyside derby victory over Everton on Wednesday night.
Alexander-Arnold made his way down to pitch level at full time to congratulate teammates as Arne Slot’s side consolidated their 12-point lead at the summit.
And Robertson believes doubts over whether his fellow full-back will still be at the club after his current deal expires are not having an impact on the dressing room.
He 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 potentially nudge Liverpool closer to a second title in five years with a win over Arsenal before their neighbours travel to Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
But Robertson is adamant that Slot’s players are not getting ahead of themselves with 13 points still required from their remaining eight games of this campaign.
But Robertson said the players had not allowed themselves to get comfortable with the cushion they have at the top.
“We just look to the next game. You guys talk about the 12 points but we talk about the next three points,” he added.
“Every game becomes bigger for us. We have eight games left. Every time we pick up three points brings us closer to where we want to be.
“But we are still a long way off that. It was good to be back to winning ways and we go again Sunday which will be a really tough game.
“They (fans) can get carried away, we are allowing them to get carried away and we take great pleasure in that.
“But we have to stay focused. We are the players, we have a job to do. Keep pushing and keep winning games to get us over the line.
“If the time comes we will be sure to enjoy it, but we are not thinking that far ahead.”