Jamie Carragher and Ian Wright agree that Trent Alexander-Arnold still needs to improve on his defending when he moves to Real Madrid, having insisted he will come under scrutiny for it in Spain.
A move to Madrid is looking inevitable for the Liverpool vice-captain now. After months of speculation – and a failed bid from Real at the turn of the year – reports came to a head earlier this week, suggesting that Los Blancos are on the verge of finalizing a deal for Alexander-Arnold.
There is no official confirmation at this point, with reports claiming that Alexander-Arnold is looking to delay an announcement amid Liverpool’s push for the Premier League title. Real though is said to want the Reds to release him early from his contract so that he can play in this summer’s Club World Cup.
Alexander-Arnold’s move to Madrid has been touted for some time now, with some theorizing that it could boost the 26-year-old’s hopes of winning the Ballon d’Or. Some have also suggested that he might come in for less criticism for his defending than he did in England.
The right-back has been regularly slammed for his defensive capabilities while playing for Liverpool and England, particularly by former Manchester United captain Roy Keane. But while there are some suggestions he won’t come under the microscope as much in Spain, Wright and Carragher feel otherwise.
“What we’ll learn very quickly with Trent at Real Madrid when he gets there is that he will realise the levels,” Wright told the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
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“If the defending is something that [needs addressing] – we all know it’s one of his weakest points – he won’t play there. If you look at Valverde and his passing range, Carvajal and his defending, you don’t need to have a player who is there who is doing great stuff going forward.
“If he goes there with just his offensive power, are they going to play him right-back for him to come inside like he does? If it doesn’t work out for him in respect of his offensive style, there’s so many great players there – that’s what he’s got to contend with.”
Carragher agreed, saying: “There’s sometimes a feeling in this country that in La Liga, Real Madrid go to these away games and win them 4-0 or 5-0. It doesn’t happen, so this idea that Trent won’t be as questioned defensively as he is in the Premier League, it’s a top league.
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“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.”
News of Alexander-Arnold’s impending move to Spain has not gone down well with Liverpool fans, many of whom aren’t happy seeing a player leave his boyhood club for nothing. Former Reds defender Carragher though insists he’ll hold no hard feelings for the right-back.
“The thing about Liverpool supporters being disappointed, you can get, but the disappointing thing for me is that everything is there for him to go on. What I hope doesn’t happen is this resentment carries on and hoping he doesn’t do well at Real Madrid – I love people from my own city doing well, and he’s playing for the biggest club in the world. Once he’s gone, I’d love him to do well.”
