Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave Liverpool on a free transfer has not gone down well with supporters, who have accused him of being disloyal to his boyhood club ahead of an expected move to Real Madrid
Mohamed Salah has revealed Trent Alexander-Arnold told him he wants to “change and challenge himself” after deciding to leave Liverpool – as he defended his decision to quit Anfield. The England international is set to leave on a free transfer this summer, with Real Madrid the likely destination.
The 26-year-old opted not to follow Salah and Virgil van Dijk by signing a new contract, with Liverpool fans fuming over his decision and accusing him of disloyalty to his boyhood club.
Alexander-Arnold was booed by supporters while waiting to come on as a substitute in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal as tensions grow over his exit.
But Salah leapt to the player’s defence as he revealed a chat between them – insisting it was “tough mentally” to stay at one club for two decades. Alexander-Arnold has been with the Merseyside outfit since he was six.
Speaking to Gary Neville, Salah told Sky Sports: “He needs to change and challenge himself. People do not know about it much, but he is 20 years in the club. He spoke to me about it.
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“It is so tough mentally for someone to be 20 years in a club. It is the place you love, yes. I love the place. But going every day to the same place, mentally you could be depressed.
“He is 26-years-old and a league title winner twice. What more could he have done? I really wish him the best.”
Salah also defended Alexander-Arnold over the boos he faced at Anfield last week, insisting it was “not how we act as Liverpool fans” as he stressed the player did not deserve to be jeered.
“I think somehow the fans were being harsh with him,” he said. “I think he didn’t deserve it at the time, he deserved the fans to treat him the best way possible because he gave it all to the fans.
I was surprised because this is not how we act as Liverpool fans. “We shouldn’t act this way with anyone who always appreciates the people, who came here even for six months.
“Imagine someone who gives you his all for 20 years. It’s shouldn’t be like this. I hope that will change next game, against Brighton or in the last game of the season, because he deserves the farewell.”
Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a move to Real Madrid for much of the season and he is expected to link up with the La Liga club, who are hoping to have him on board for the Club World Cup this summer – though that will involve them paying the Reds a small fee.
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