Liverpool legend worried about Trent Alexander-Arnold departing Anfield
Liverpool legend worried about Trent Alexander-Arnold departing Anfield. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has expressed his worries that Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s ambition to win the Ballon d’Or could see him depart the club to join Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, alongside teammates Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, and there’s been no indication that the full-back is close to signing fresh terms.
Instead, Alexander-Arnold has been heavily linked with a move away to La Liga giants and 15-time Champions League winners Real Madrid, who were surprisingly battered 4-0 by Clasico rivals Barcelona at home this past weekend in the first El Clasico of the season.
PSG have also been credited with interest in Alexander-Arnold, who revealed prior to Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal, that he wants to be the first full-back to ever win the highly coveted Ballon d’Or.
Alexander-Arnold admitted he wants to create a legacy and be remembered as the “greatest right-back to ever play football”, something Jamie Carragher feels he will only achieve if he ends up leaving Liverpool for Madrid.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Carragher said;
“My first thought when I saw that is you’re not going to win the Ballon d’Or as a right-back for Liverpool.
“Ballon d’Or winners normally play for Real Madrid or Barcelona. That’s where the best players in the world go.
“If that is his ultimate ambition – I think he was asked about winning the Champions League, the World Cup or the Ballon d’Or and he went for the Ballon d’Or – which I think is a bit strange or bizarre because it is a team game, but he has got massive ambitions and why not? You’ve only got one career, he ‘s a unique full back and he’s absolutely amazing.
“But the first thing that came to me when I read that interview is that makes me think he is going to Real Madrid.
He continued:
“I actually think Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah will stay. I do believe that, but the longer it goes on with Trent, the more I feel he is going to leave.
“It is the biggest club in the world. Going back to him being a local lad, there will be a frustration for Liverpool supporters the longer that this carries on and he doesn’t sign a contract.”
Alexander-Arnold has made over 330 appearances for the Reds in all competitions since breaking into the first team during the 2016/17 season. He quickly became a regular starter for Jurgen Klopp side, playing a crucial role in the club’s run to back-to-back UEFA Champions League finals between 2017 and 2019.
The second of those finals resulted in a first major European trophy for Alexander-Arnold, and Premier League glory followed a season later when Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for a top flight title.
