Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher says Trent Alexander-Arnold’s legacy will be tainted if he leaves the club to join Real Madrid, but he has insisted that fans shouldn’t turn on the Scouser no matter what decision he makes on his future.
While it is not confirmed yet, the suggestion is that Alexander-Arnold is leaning towards a move to the Bernabeu when his contract expires this summer. Liverpool would lose the 26-year-old for no transfer fee in that instance with Real Madrid potentially continuing to snap up the best talents around without having to shell out big money.
Carragher, though, can understand the appeal of joining the La Liga giant. The former Liverpool number 23 has outlined his “hope” if Alexander-Arnold does part ways with his boyhood club come the summer.
“From a footballing point of view, he will be considered one of the great Liverpool players of the modern era under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot this season,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “There is a lot of criticism now but time is a great healer and Liverpool supporters will be appreciative.
“He is a brilliant player and that is why Real Madrid wants to sign him. That’s why he is spoken about so much, he is the vice-captain of Liverpool, and he has won so much.
“It will taint his legacy in some people’s eyes but I keep going back to Steven Gerrard. When you think of players who played their whole career at the club and turned down opportunities to go to other clubs, that always leaves you in the supporter’s minds that you are one of them and are exactly like them.
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“I’m really appreciative of what Trent has done for Liverpool. He came through the academy, which very few players do, he has won everything there is to win, and he has been a brilliant player for Liverpool.
“If he moves on, I’ll be disappointed but I hope it doesn’t get nasty for him and people wanting him to fail at Real Madrid or for it not to go well for him. He has made his choice.
“It will taint his legacy slightly, I have no doubt about that. If he goes there, I hope it goes well for him. But I hope it goes even better for Liverpool.”
Liverpool.com says: Losing Alexander-Arnold would be a big blow but it would not come as a complete surprise. Real Madrid has been lurking for some time so Slot and his sporting director, Richard Hughes, will have a contingency plan in place. Replacing such a unique talent will not be easy but Liverpool has moved on from big players before.
