Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future at Liverpool looks set to be drawing to a close, with the England international appearing set to join Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid
Jamie Carragher does not understand why Trent Alexander-Arnold wants to leave Liverpool when he could win more trophies at Anfield. The former Reds defender is disappointed that it looks like the right-back is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer but insists he is not angry.
Liverpool supporters have reacted with fury online about Alexander-Arnold walking away for nothing when a big transfer fee could have helped the club. But Carragher, who won the Champions League in 2005 with the Reds, is more surprised at why the player is leaving when Arne Slot’s side are competing for top honours.
He believes Alexander-Arnold should want to lead Liverpool in surpassing Manchester United’s 20 league titles and closing the gap on Real’s dominance in Europe.
“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,” Carragher told Stick to Football podcast. “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.
READ MORE: Alan Shearer bucks trend with his view on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool exitREAD MORE: Conor Bradley is Trent Alexander-Arnold’s heir apparent – but how does he really compare?
“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.
“We always talk about rivalries and never think of it as European. In some ways, Real Madrid is a rival, and no one will catch them – they are the biggest and most famous team- but I’m desperate for Liverpool to get second on that list – AC Milan are on 7 [European titles].
“If I was him, I’d be thinking that we’ve got a great opportunity to win the league this year and could do this and that and at the end of his time, put Liverpool in a position [to top others].”
Carragher will want Alexander-Arnold to be a success because he “loves people doing well from his city”.
He did warn the right-back that it won’t be easy and the pressure will be on if he makes mistakes in a Madrid shirt. But Carragher, who made 737 appearances for Liverpool as a one-club man, reckons his own personal ambition is driving him to move to Madrid.
He said: “I think Trent is a player who looks at himself almost like a brand, and that’s not just him, a lot of players do now. I go back to an interview he gave on Sky Sports before Christmas, where he was given five options on which he’d pick as the most important for you.
“Captain of Liverpool, win the Champions League with Liverpool, win the World Cup with England, or win the Ballon d’Or – and he chose the Ballon d’or. He wanted to be the first full-back that won the Ballon d’Or, and there’s nothing wrong with having ambition, but that didn’t go down particularly well with Liverpool supporters.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
