Jamie Carragher says Trent Arnold told Real Madrid to launch Liverpool bid

Jamie Carragher believes Trent Alexander-Arnold and his team have encouraged Real Madrid to sign him in January to 'cover himself' in case he leaves on a free transfer.

The Spanish giants have been long-time admirers of the 26-year-old Liverpool right-back, who is out of contract at the end of the season. And while there is speculation that Real will try to sign Alexander-Arnold for free next summer, it emerged on Tuesday that they had launched an ambitious attempt to sign him sooner.

Liverpool immediately turned down the offer and remained in talks with their vice-captain over a new contract, which would keep him at Anfield.

But some, including Carragher, are convinced the Reds are fighting a losing battle. And he has hit the timing of the bid – which he claims the player and his team would have backed – with a big match against arch-rivals Manchester United just days away.

In a post on No one's contract or future should stand in the way of that! I like Trent as a boy and as a player, but his team would have told Real Madrid to bid and would also have known LFC would turn it down.

“It's to try and cover himself if he leaves for free. Again, it's something the club/fans don't need with a big game coming up.”

It is understood that Alexander-Arnold has given Liverpool no indication that he plans to leave at the end of the season and move to Spain, although there is still no agreement on a new contract between him and the club.

Alexander-Arnold recently said he would not allow conversations about his future to take place in public. Liverpool boss Arne Slot insists he has no problems with his defender amid ongoing speculation surrounding him and Real Madrid.

After the recent 5-0 thrashing against West Ham, Slot said: “He's playing really well, scored a great goal and the way he celebrated his goal probably says it all, so I don't think I need to say much more about Het.

“I am very happy with Trent, just as happy as with Mo and with Virgil, so for me there is no difference. To the outside world: there may be a few more things happening around Trent in the media than with the other two, but yes, I am happy with all three at the moment.”