Jamie Carragher says that Trent Alexander-Arnold's 'one of our own' status among Liverpool fans is “reduced” after his decision to leave the club, and he sacrificed that love of the fans by choosing Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold announced that at the end of the season he will leave the Reds on a free transfer, with a verbal agreement to become a member of Real.
The 26-year-old had been in the club for two decades, came through the academy and played 352 times for the club that he helped to win nine major awards, including two Premier League titles and the 2019 Champions League.
“He will lose something that he now has in terms of Liverpool's love for him, he is 'one of their own' will decrease,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“Some people will say: play for Real Madrid, that price is not worth paying. Some other people will say:” You have to play for Real Madrid, it's the largest club in the world. “
“You can put the supporters aside, it's your career and you get one chance. I don't think a Liverpool fan can't deny that Real Madrid is the largest club in the world.
“But that [love from the fans] Is something he sacrificed playing for Real Madrid. “
Asked if that love and dedication of the fans is an important thing for a player, Carragher replied: “It took me, but I was never in this situation in which I had the option to perhaps choose a club of Real Madrid's caliber.
“For some people it does, and some people don't. Some people want, in their career, play for some of the best clubs in the world – and you look at that career and think:” Wow – Liverpool and Real Madrid. “
“I am actually thinking of the career of Xabi Alonso – Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich – some of the largest clubs in the world. And where are you from Real Madrid and Liverpool – two of the largest clubs in world football?”
“I'm not angry with Trent”
In the meantime, Liverpool managed to expand the contracts of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk – both from contract this summer – until 2027, but they could not convince the English international.
The news about the departure of Alexander -Arnold has divided the Liverpool fan base – but Carragher says that he is in the middle of the opinion – adding the temptation of Real Madrid can be too much for every player.
Asked if he is worried that Liverpool had one of the most valuable assets leave for nothing, Carragher said: “No. I would like what he is worth. £ 70 million to £ 100 million, he is a unique football player, and then try to replace him.
“I am not so angry with Trent when a part of the fan base is because he went on for free, but he came up for free. He came through the academy, he did not cost the club nothing.
“Liverpool would never sell Alexander-Arnold before his contract was finished and Real Madrid would never sign Alexander-Arnold before his contract was over.
“Because if you look at the history of Real Madrid signing sessions in the past two or three years, I think they will speak with players and their agents for a year or two – and say that if you want to play for Real Madrid, we will sign you in a few years.
“I am not saying that is what happened to Trent, but it certainly happened with players earlier and maybe this situation happened.
“But Real Madrid does not pay huge costs, they are waiting for players to leave for free. They think they are the largest club in the world and everyone wants to play for them.”
'Bradley should try as a replacement for Trent'
Liverpool now has the challenging task of filling the void that remains behind by Alexander-Arnold, who developed a reputation as one of the most unique, creative and attack-oriented full-backs in world football.
Conor Bradley has been the ordinary right back alternative this season, but there are doubts about whether the 21-year-old can immediately fill the shoes of Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool -head coach Arne Slot has also played Curtis Jones, Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez in that position.
“Liverpool must make a decision about Conor Bradley,” said Carragher. “Is he their right back? And then they buy someone who fills him, or that can be a tool player, perhaps a center-back that can play right back?
“Or are they going to buy a recognized right back and is it a real fight for the right -wing position?
“I think Bradley – for what he has done so far in a Liverpool shirt – it deserves to get an attempt to be our right back. And then Liverpool still has to invest in someone who can play in that area.
“And then 12 months later, you can take that decision along the line of or Bradley can play for Liverpool Week in, week out. We probably still don't know that, but he certainly has been done enough in a Liverpool shirt.”