Jamie Carragher has given his thoughts on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future at Liverpool
Jamie Carragher has warned Trent Alexander-Arnold that he may damage his Liverpool legacy if he leaves the club for Real Madrid in the summer. The 26-year-old is out of contract in summer 2025 and can negotiate with overseas clubs from January 1.
Liverpool remain locked in negotiations with Alexander-Arnold’s representatives but with no agreement reached, speculation that the West Derby-born full-back will leave for Madrid continues.
For his part, Alexander-Arnold has always insisted that he will not speak about his future in public out of respect for his boyhood club but Carragher, who played alongside Steve McManaman and Michael Owen, warned that Alexander-Arnold’s legacy could be damaged in the same way as his former team-mates if he doesn’t sign a new deal.
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Writing in his Telegraph column, he said: “That is the biggest issue for Trent – the free transfer. As with Macca, the supporters will feel that the club are losing an £80 million player for nothing, and they will not like it. My advice to Trent would be to sign a new deal, with a reasonable buyout clause, that will give the club some value if Real or anyone else decide to meet it.
“The fans’ attitude towards Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, both also out of contract in the summer, is not the same as it is for Trent. There are lots of reasons for that but a big part of that is the local-boy factor. The feeling is that playing for Liverpool should be the ultimate ambition for a Liverpool lad. It was that way for Macca, Michael, Stevie and myself and it will be the same for Trent and Curtis Jones.”
Carragher believes Alexander-Arnold has benefitted from the focus on Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, who are both enjoying exceptional seasons but will also be free agents come the summer.
But the Liverpool legend has warned that Alexander-Arnold’s situation will soon come to a head.
He added: “It could get awkward. What happens if Liverpool and Real meet again in the knockout stages of the Champions League? Trent will be under scrutiny like never before. Every hug and handshake with Real players will be analysed. A shirt exchange with Jude Bellingham will be discussed for clues.“That is the life of a local lad in the Liverpool team. I never said it was always easy, but the rewards are huge. My instinct is that Trent fancies a change. He does not live on Merseyside, as is the case with many of the team, and he seems to have the taste for something different. That is his prerogative, but it also comes with its price.“If he leaves for free in the summer, it will be hard for many Liverpool fans to accept the loss of a major asset for nothing. The club is their world and many of us see no reason why Liverpool could not go on to compete for the very biggest trophies under Slot. Of course, life at Real is pretty good too and Trent may well accept the consequences at Liverpool for a move to Madrid.“But at heart he is a Liverpool lad, and he will be a long-time retired. For those who stay the course at Liverpool – that love and affection from the fans is for life.”
