Liverpool will lose Trent Alexander-Arnold at the end of this season, with Arne Slot’s vice-captain set to depart at the end of his contract. While it has not been announced yet where he will be heading, it will be Real Madrid.
Gary Neville has previously spoken about Alexander-Arnold making the move, comparing the situation to Manchester United losing Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham. And he has now predicted that the Liverpool ace will one day end up playing in Major League Soccer (MLS), with the US top flight continuing to grow.
Alexander-Arnold, who was booed by some fans at Anfield last weekend against Arsenal, has two more games left before his Liverpool contract expires. The first is against Brighton on Monday before the last fixture of the campaign against Crystal Palace.
“I do think he will end up in America,” Neville said on the It’s Called Soccer podcast. “I think he’ll do three, four, or five years at Real Madrid — hopefully he’ll do well — and I think he’ll go to America.
“I think that’s where he sees his life and his career. He doesn’t just see himself staying in Liverpool. I think he’s looked at Jude Bellingham and David Beckham; I think he’ll live in America and do different things.”
Alexander-Arnold has won everything at Liverpool in his senior career. While the Reds did everything in their power to convince him to stay put and continue the success under Slot, he opted for a change of scenery and to try something new.
“After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season,” Alexander-Arnold posted on social media at the start of the month.
“This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life. I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No.20.
“This club has been my whole life — my whole world — for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.
Learn more
“But, I have never known anything else, and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.
“I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club. I hope you feel like I’ve given back to you during my time here.
“From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody — my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff, and our incredible supporters — for the last 20 years.”
Liverpool.com says: Alexander-Arnold could well end up in MLS one day. The league is growing and the lifestyle on offer there would be another opportunity to try something new. It does feel like a possibility, but not for a good while yet.
