Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville clashed while discussing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s expected move to Real Madrid, with the latter insisting that Liverpool owners FSG are to blame for his departure.
Alexander-Arnold looks set to be heading to the Bernabeu at the end of his contract this summer, with Real seemingly on the verge of finalizing a deal for the Liverpool vice-captain. After months of speculation, and a failed bid ahead of the January transfer window, reports came to a head this week, with various outlets suggesting that terms had been agreed.
There is no confirmation from either Liverpool or Real currently, although it does appear inevitable now that the 26-year-old will be heading to Spain in the summer, with Los Blancos wanting him to arrive early in time for the new-look Club World Cup.
With two more big names set to be out of contract this summer, Reds fans will be hoping that Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah aren’t about to follow Alexander-Arnold out of the exit door. There is still no update on either player, with Van Dijk admitting recently that he has “no idea” what the future holds for him.
Discussing Alexander-Arnold’s departure on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, former Liverpool defender Carragher vehemently disagreed with Neville as the ex-Manchester United captain pointed the finger at Liverpool’s owners.
When Ian Wright asked Carragher whether FSG should be to blame for Alexander-Arnold’s exit, Neville jumped in: “Absolutely!”
Carragher responded: “No, please, no, no, no. I’ve explained this. Stop it. I’ve explained this a million times.”
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Neville then rebuked: “Liverpool are the only club who are allowed to run their players’ contracts down to zero, but they are still doing ok? Three of the best players in the world have got contracts running out, but Liverpool are doing a great job managing that? I’m sorry, I can’t accept that.”
Carragher went on to explain how Michael Edwards’ departure as sporting director and the arrival of Jorg Schmadtke – who he described as “Jurgen Klopp’s mate” – were the main reasons behind the contracts not being extended. He also suggested that Klopp’s departure last summer allowed Alexander-Arnold to delay talks.
“The Trent situation, he has definitely, as we all would, used that situation to his own advantage,” Carrgher said. “‘How can I sign? I don’t know what the new manager is like, I don’t know how successful we’ll be in the future.’”
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Neville hit back again though, saying: “I’m not having a go at the people who are there at the club now, I’m having a go at the club over the last three years not seeing three of the best players in Europe and in the world being signed up.
“You could’ve been the tea lady, the kit man at Liverpool that made the decision to keep those three and give them a new contract. You didn’t have to be the sporting director.”
Liverpool.com says: Here’s a novel idea – both Carragher and Neville can be right. Yes, FSG should not have allowed three of its best players to get to this point, but at the same time, Alexander-Arnold’s move to Madrid has looked inevitable for a while now.
Could he have been convinced to sign a new deal earlier than this season? Only he will know, but the upheaval behind the scenes over the years hasn’t helped the situation, with Liverpool now needing to get Van Dijk and Salah signed up, or else the fans will not be as understanding.
