Jamie Carragher believes Trent Alexander-Arnold's representatives knew Real Madrid would bid for the Liverpool star this month.
The right-back was the subject of a £20million bid from the Spanish giants the week he entered the final six months of his contract at Anfield. Alexander-Arnold's impressive performances this season have made it easy for Liverpool boss Arne Slot to insist the defender will not be distracted by the headlines.
But Sunday night's performance against the Red Devils suggested a different story. The 26-year-old fell well below his usual level in attack and was poor defensively.
The display prompted Sky experts to wonder whether the England international's spirit could be elsewhere. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher even suggested the player's representative may have responded to the premature offer, while former United defender Gary Neville disagreed and ex-Reds striker Daniel Sturridge clashed with Carragher.
“They would have known what happened,” Carragher said, referring to Alexander-Arnold's representatives.
“I'm not naive enough to think that Real Madrid would have made a bid in January for a player that they could get for nothing within four months.”
He added: 'Do you honestly believe that if this bid comes in, they'll sit at home and see it on Sky Sports and say 'wow!'
Neville said: 'Real Madrid's bid is bad timing for him. That won't be an easy distraction. I thought it was an insult to Real Madrid. They are not going to sell Trent for £20 million in January. You can imagine that sound playing in his head before the game.”
Neville added: “He probably feels he doesn't get the respect he deserves in this country. I have been critical of his defensive performance.
'If someone came for me, I would never leave my club. That doesn't mean I was right.'
In an often frenetic post-match discussion involving the pair as well as former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and United legend Roy Keane, Carragher said: 'The disappointing thing for me – he could be captain in two or three years – if I was in the running In his position, I would put Liverpool above Man United in terms of league titles.
'It's more just disappointment. I would have loved to play for the best team in the league.”
Together with captain Virgil van Dijk and talisman Mohamed Salah, Alexander-Arnold can now sign a pre-contract with foreign clubs. Although, partly due to his silence on the matter, his future at Anfield is most uncertain.
Sturridge, who played alongside full-back on Merseyside, empathized with his situation and insisted he is not the kind of player to let off-field matters affect his performances.
“He is a professional man,” said the former striker. 'It's not his personality not to be focused on the game. Trent can defend better, but there were times when he also had no help.
“It's a loss, lose anyway. Everyone involved in the football club should want him to stay. The club knows that Trent's contract is expiring.
'His contract still runs for six months. None of the three should be in this predicament. We are not aware of any contracts being offered and rejected. Jurgen's departure was a spanner in the works for everyone.
“To leave these three players in a predicament like this.”
'Never mind the number of games he has played for Liverpool. Show a bit of class and say all the best to you,” Keane added before admitting his form must return to usual levels for the Reds to clinch the title.
He said: “What could derail it is if he defends like this for the rest of the season. You have to defend better.'
Liverpool supporters made their feelings known before kick-off with a banner unfurled at the top of the Kop, featuring their three soon-to-be out-of-contract stars.
The accompanying captain read: 'FSG Give Mo & Co their money'.
Reds fans who responded to the banner online praised those in the field for speaking out against the club's ownership with a message on they deserve.”
Another added: 'Fans are making their voices heard in the Kop… The message is clear: FSG, give Mo and the team what they deserve.'
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