With the reality setting in over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool departure, he’d be well advised to not check his phone for a while.
However, those Reds fans furious about his free transfer should serve as a reminder of what he’s achieved with the club, according to Jermaine Jenas.
He announced his departure in an emotional video[/caption]
Alexander-Arnold made his departure from Anfield official on Monday morning with a move to Real Madrid expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
He will leave his lifelong club as a free agent, having opted against signing an extension on his deal that expires on June 30.
That is one of a number of factors that has aggravated the fanbase, but talkSPORT’s Jenas thinks there’s a key message in there for the defender.
“They’re going to be angry, but I do believe as the years pass they will have a better understanding,” the former Tottenham and England midfielder said on Monday.
“I’m good friends with Steve McManaman and he had a very similar situation when he left on a free from Liverpool went to Real Madrid and had huge success at Real Madrid.
“Is he thought of in the same ilk as Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard? Probably not but he’s still I think loved by Liverpool fans for what he did during that period of time.
“I think that the anger towards Trent is a compliment of how much of an impact he’s had on those fans. How much of an impact he’s had as a player.”
The 26-year-old right back has won every trophy on offer in Merseyside, and Jenas thinks that and his age has played a part in the call.
He explained: “Football careers are really short, if you’ve reached the heights that Trent has reached you have to make these difficult decisions.
“His career is going to be done very soon and he doesn’t want to look back with any regret about this moment.
“Some people might have decided to stay and decide that was a great moment for them like Stevie did but for Trent this is his personal decision and it has to be respected.
“He feels he’s achieved everything he’s set out to achieve at Liverpool. I just don’t think you can begrudge a player the opportunity to go and take on another new challenge.”
Despite fury on social media, Alexander-Arnold has so far felt the love from match-going fans, who chanted his name during title celebrations after a 5-1 win over Tottenham at Anfield.
Jenas thinks many of those online may also come around to that way of thinking once time has passed.
“You kind of understand their anger and they’re angry because they love him and they adore him and he’s one of their own,” he said.
“But I think once the dust settles they will look at it and kind of go ‘You know what? You’ve done well for us’.
“I’m not saying 100 per cent of them will be singing his name as he leaves, but I definitely expect these next few games there to be some loving for sure.”
