Trent Alexander-Arnold has broken hearts on Merseyside this week as reports have emerged that the right-back is set to join Real Madrid.
Indeed, Alexander-Arnold is set to join Real Madrid this summer, and a number of Liverpool fans have been left with the same question – why?
Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving his boyhood club at one of the highest points in the club’s recent history.
Liverpool are about to win the Premier League in Arne Slot’s first season at the club, but Alexander-Arnold has decided that this is the time for him to leave.
Speaking on the Here We Go Podcast, Fabrizio Romano has been discussing this move, and according to the journalist, Alexander-Arnold himself will give an explanation about this move when the time is right.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will explain his decision
According to Romano, Alexander-Arnold will give an explanation about his decision to head to Real Madrid.
At the moment, it may be hard for some to get their heads around why Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool, but a statement is expected from the England star at some point.
“I think it’s important to mention, and we will touch on that, that Trent will explain everything on this story, also to respect Liverpool fans at the right moment. But Real Madrid is Real Madrid, where Real Madrid is calling. This is not just about Trent,” Romano said.
“It doesn’t have to be myself or any other journalist to say things in Trent’s place. But what I want to say is that Trent will be very clear with Liverpool fans. It will happen at the right moment.
“He will speak to the fans. He will speak to people at the club and everything will be clear. So I think Trent will do his best to close this fantastic chapter he had at Liverpool in the best way possible because they won everything together.
“He’s a local boy from Liverpool, and so it’s a big opportunity also for him to say goodbye in the best way possible.”
Why did Steve McManaman leave Liverpool?
Alexander-Arnold is set to leave his boyhood club on a free transfer, and we’ve been here before.
Indeed, Steve McManaman left Liverpool for Real Madrid in similar circumstances back in 1999.
McManaman explained his decision, claiming that he wanted to play in the Champions League.
“It wasn’t financial, because the money Liverpool offered me to stay was virtually on a par. I wanted to leave. At that time I had never played in the Champions League, which was a huge thing,” he added, “I was playing really good football and I needed to test myself. I felt that I needed to go,” McManaman told Graham Hunter.
“I wanted to go abroad, I didn’t want to play for somebody against Liverpool. I was playing good football and I had the right kind of clubs interested in me — Barcelona, Madrid and Juventus.
“They were European Champions, World Champions, they were the best team in the world. That white kit, Di Stefano, Puskas, all that. And so it was Madrid.”
Of course, Alexander-Arnold doesn’t have that same issue. Liverpool have been perennial Champions League contenders during his time at the club – playing in three finals in recent years, winning the trophy once.
Alexander-Arnold will have his reasons for leaving Liverpool, but it would appear he doesn’t have the same motivations that McManaman did all those years ago.
