Maybe the worst-kept secret in soccer right now might finally be out – Trent Alexander-Arnold is heading to Real Madrid.
It’s felt like this has been coming for months now, with virtually no sign that the right-back was ever going to sign a new contract with Liverpool. The multitude of reports that circulated on Tuesday really just confirmed what most supporters had already assumed.
Yet, it didn’t stop the blow hurting any less for Liverpool fans. The immediate reaction saw a lot of anger being thrown the way of Alexander-Arnold, and you can understand why when a player who has never publicly entertained the idea of leaving his boyhood club looks set to walk away without even earning his side a penny.
It is interesting though how Liverpool’s owners seem to have escaped a lot of the anger currently being thrown around on social media. After all, fans from any club rarely miss an opportunity to criticize their custodians, especially not the Reds.
For now though, FSG is largely getting away with it, with much of the ire being directed at Alexander-Arnold instead. You could give any number of reasons why that is the case, and no doubt the fact he’s leaving for free is a big one, but personally, it’s the radio silence that the 26-year-old has employed over the past year or so that is proving to be the real sore spot.
Of course you don’t expect a player to come out and say they want to leave, especially one that is ingrained in the fabric of the club. But for a vice-captain to so rarely speak publicly has not been a good look, and it undoubtedly leaves a bitter taste now that his departure looks inevitable.
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In so many ways then, FSG has been very lucky. Had yesterday’s reports come out a few months ago, you suspect the reaction would have been very different, but the tide has turned somewhat through Alexander-Arnold’s silence – even now, there is still no official word that he is heading to Madrid, which only really adds to the frustration.
Liverpool’s owners cannot be making this a habit though, especially with two other big names set to be out of contract soon. If Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk follow Alexander-Arnold out of the exit door, you can guarantee the fans’ anger will not be directed at the players.
Both Salah and Van Dijk have taken markedly different approaches to their teammate when it comes to addressing the speculation over their futures. The former has not been shy at all about airing his frustrations in his standoff with the club, while the latter has approached the subject head on, thanks in no small part to him doing interviews after pretty much every game this season.
(Image: Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Whether they really do intend to stay at Anfield, only they know, but what they have done is made sure they’re keeping supporters on their side. If their contracts expire without new deals ready, then the blame is going to be laid squarely at the door of FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes.
This is a pivotal moment for the latter. Far too often over the years, we’ve seen big names leave Liverpool for nothing – Gini Wijnaldum, Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita and Emre Can to name just a few who probably could’ve earned the Reds some money had they conducted things a bit better.
Losing Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah all in the same summer would be catastrophic for Hughes, who has already faced some criticism after two quiet transfer windows. Arne Slot has done a sensational job despite not being backed with new signings, and there will be nowhere for FSG to hide if he loses his two best players.
Liverpool’s owners cannot make the same mistake. Alexander-Arnold might be leaving, but Van Dijk and Salah simply cannot be allowed to join him now.
