Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge could see Trent Alexander-Arnold change his mind on a possible summer move to Real Madrid.
It’s widely expected that the right-back joins Los Blancos when his contract expires at the end of the season, ending his 20-year association with his boyhood club. Understandably, the news has not gone down well with Liverpool fans, many of whom are frustrated to lose another star name to Real, let alone an academy graduate and scouser.
Alexander-Arnold was spared conducting any post-match media duties on Sunday and was seen chatting to majority owner John W. Henry on the pitch at Anfield, but certainly enjoyed the celebrations as the Reds were crowned Premier League champions. He banged his chest as The Kop End sang out his name, danced with teammates and posted a video of the squad from the changing room.
If begs the question, could the festivities change Alexander-Arnold’s mind and convince him to remain on Merseyside?
Aldridge hopes so and used the example of Steven Gerrard to draw inspiration from, when the ex-captain chose not to join Chelsea following the Reds’ 2005 Champions League success.
“After winning the Champions League in Istanbul, Stevie Gerrard said how could he leave after this. Surely Trent Alexander-Arnold has to be asking himself the same question now?” Aldridge wrote in his weekly column in the Liverpool Echo.
“We’ve seen what it meant, but people are different. Trent has his own thoughts and you’ve got to accept them.
“He’s his own man and he’ll do what he wants to do for himself and for his family.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Real Madrid are fantastic, enormous, the biggest club in the world. They are, you have to say that. And we’re next! But you have got to respect Trent’s decision, whatever he does – whether he stays put or does look to move on.
“He’s a Liverpool boyhood fan and to see that as a boyhood fan… You could see it on his face when the cameras went on him, what it meant in front of the Kop. I could see it. Maybe it might turn him but we’ll have to wait and see. I’m not sure either way.”
Aldridge’s comments come amid an uncertain period at the Bernabeu. Real surrendered its European crown earlier this month and is expected to lose out in the title race to bitter foes Barcelona.
The Catalan club also won the Copa del Rey final last week, following embarrassing scenes from Real players who stormed the pitch, while there were even rumors the team would not play in the final due to a frustration over the choice of referee.
Manager Carlo Ancelloti is expected to move on this summer, while there’s uncertainty about where Alexander-Arnold would fit into a Real side already bursting with creative talent.
In contrast, Liverpool seems like a safe, calm environment – but one the England international could opt to turn his back on.
