Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher cannot understand why local boy Trent Alexander-Arnold does not see his long-term future at Anfield amid reports of a switch to Real Madrid moving closer this week.
The 26-year-old England right-back, along with other key players Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, is out of contract this summer and has reportedly agreed terms on a free transfer to the Spanish giants.
Liverpool-born Alexander-Arnold made his debut for the club as an 18-year-old in 2016 and has won the Champions League, Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup, with a second league title now likely as the club are 12 points clear at the summit.
The news of Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave has not been welcomed by Liverpool fans.
In the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast, Carragher said: “It seems like there’s not one thing people are unhappy with – it’s leaving on a free or that he should have come out and told the club earlier – people are angry for three or four different things.
“I’m not angry about him going on a free. Where I’m at is that, as a local player and a Liverpool fan, Liverpool are in a position where they’re competing for the league and a European Cup every year.
“So, if you’re a Liverpool fan and a local player, I’m just disappointed that he doesn’t think that this is it.
“I’m putting myself in his position, where I’d be thinking that we could go level with Manchester United in league trophies, I’ve got another seven or eight years at Liverpool and want to get three or four ahead of them, with a couple more European Cups.”
Alexander-Arnold has come under some criticism for his defensive performances during the course of his time with Liverpool and was particularly put under the spotlight when they drew 2-2 with Manchester United in January.
That performance came a week after initial reports of a move to Real Madrid surfaced and Carragher thinks his defending will be questioned more in LaLiga.
He added: “This idea that Trent won’t be as questioned defensively as he is in the Premier League, it’s a top league. Real Madrid expect to win the Champions League every season.
“If you go to Bayern Munich in a quarter-final and let your team down with a couple of goals (conceded), the heat is going to be on.”
‘Trent news will overshadow Liverpool’s title win’
Matt Ladson (@mattladson)
Supporters, as always, will be divided on the rights and wrongs of Alexander-Arnold’s exit. Some will strongly blame the boyhood Red who talked of winning it all in his city. Others will vehemently blame the owners, FSG, for allowing the situation to happen.
The reality is, both sides of the argument have merit.
What is perhaps most difficult to stomach is that Alexander-Arnold has hidden behind claims of not wanting to play out contract talks in public, refusing interviews as the club’s vice-captain, and leaving on a free.
The departure would certainly be easier to stomach if the club were getting a sizeable fee and thus able to reinvest that into the squad rebuild that they now face.
With Alexander-Arnold gone, Liverpool need to sign a first-choice right-back, left-back and likely two centre-forwards, arguably a centre midfielder, and who knows if replacements for Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk will also be required.
What’s most disappointing in the short term is how this overshadows the end to the season that should be a huge celebration for the Reds. How will Alexander-Arnold be received? Will he even play again? Will he join the parade?
There’s far too much uncertainty surrounding the squad, and while news of an exit for Trent adds some clarity, it leaves far more questions than answers.
