Gary Lineker insists Trent Alexander-Arnold would do well at Real Madrid and has urged the England star to swap Liverpool for Spain.
The Match of the Day presenter, who spent three seasons at Barcelona in the 1980s, went on to say that the Madrid club would be 'a good match' for Alexander-Arnold and that the move made 'very logical'.
Liverpool's imperious start to the season has been marred only by speculation over the futures of three of their key players – Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold – as their contracts near expiry.
After a 5-0 win over West Ham that extended Liverpool's lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points – with a game in hand against second-placed Nottingham Forest – Salah admitted he was 'far removed' from signing a new contract. .
Alexander Arnold, meanwhile, has been repeatedly linked with the Bernabeu to join his England teammate and close friend Jude Bellingham with a bombshell report last week in Spain claiming a move is close to completion.
And speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker said he believes Alexander-Arnold's departure is inevitable.
“It seems very logical to me,” he said.
'Free transfer is how Real Madrid have been doing things lately.
'He (Alexander-Arnold) is very close to Jude Bellingham and would fit in wonderfully. He would be a huge success. They wouldn't focus critically on his defense as we do here – overly so in my opinion. It's a great fit and would be a big loss for Liverpool, but there's a youngster coming through (Conor Bradley) who has done really well.
'I think there is a good chance that this will happen, although I have no prior knowledge.'
Alexander-Arnold, 26, was born in Merseyside and has been with the Reds since 2004, breaking into the first team in 2016.
His home club is flying both domestically and in Europe this season and is at the top of both the Premier League and the Champions League. However, Lineker insists that when Real Madrid come calling, they will be impossible to turn down.
'How do you say no to Real Madrid?' he said.
'Liverpool is an incredible football club, but a new challenge, playing abroad, I did that myself.
'Playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona is really special. No matter how strong, powerful and rich the Premier League is, the greats of the world still go to Barcelona and Real Madrid. The only exception lately has been (Erling) Haaland. Apart from that, that's where they go.
'He (Alexander-Arnold) will love it there. It'll be great. They will adore and appreciate his passing range. He is in the prime of his career. I wouldn't begrudge him.'
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