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Since Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed on Monday morning that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, it has been a long week for the Reds media pack as they waited for their opportunity to quiz Arne Slot on his departing vice-captain.

But it was only at the start of this week, now that the Premier League title is won, that the decision was announced.

Slot was well-aware it was coming, just as much as he knew the obvious line of questioning that would follow and fall his way on Friday morning at the AXA Training Centre.

And having kept the gathered media waiting a little while longer with a delayed start in Kirkby, sure enough Alexander-Arnold was the dominant topic of conversation in the club’s inner-sanctum.

But while Reds fanbase are frustrated, disappointed and annoyed by Alexander-Arnold’s decision to depart, Slot only shares one of those emotions.

It quickly became clear that while the Dutchman is also disappointed to lose a key player, he is excited for the future.

“The experience I have - and this club as well - is that if a very good player is leaving, the next very good player will step up,” he said.

“Unfortunately he hasn't been fit all season but to become a good player you have to be fit all season but we have a lot of confidence in him as a very good full-back for Liverpool."

But while Slot would confirm his starting right-back against the Gunners, he dismissed suggestions that Alexander-Arnold’s exit leaves Liverpool light as - true to form - he gave little away about their subsequent summer transfer plans.

“I have played Conor Bradley and Curtis Jones over there so four players (Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez also) who can play that position,” he insisted.

That last thing is mostly not a problem, by the way, but sometimes transfer fees sometimes are.”

Of course, you can sidestep issues with transfer fees if you just sign a player when their contract expires, with Alexander-Arnold only the latest big-name Bosman move.

And Slot could see the funny side when asked about a growing trend in European football - before having to check that his subsequent joke did not go over anyone’s head as he made light of the situation.

“You cannot deny it happens a bit more than it did in the past but it is not like it's not like it's a lot,” he admitted, before alluding to Real Madrid - Alexander-Arnold’s unconfirmed next move.

I can't predict the future.”

Gallows humour perhaps from Slot, even if the Liverpool fanbase is not there yet