Jamie Carragher believes Trent Alexander-Arnold chose Liverpool’s opponent after announcing that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season.
Alexander-Arnold confirmed the widespread expectation this morning, with his contract leaving the club when it expires in June, with Real Madrid being his most likely destination as he hopes to take the next step in his career.
Liverpool fans have reacted negatively to his decision, summing up how many people feel if he predicts the 26-year-old will return to Merseyside with Madrid.
The former Liverpool defender wrote in a telegram: “I love seeing a guy born in Liverpool doing a great job and he will play for Real Madrid.
“Part of me thinks ‘good done’, but the competitive element in me also thinks that swapping Liverpool Red for Real Madrid White means he chooses to be a competitor.
“That means he will be treated the same as Luis Suarez when he is in Anfield when he returns to Merseyside in a Barcelona shirt.
“In Monday’s statement, Alexander-Arnold enjoyed his identity when he was fully committed to Liverpool.”
After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, it’s time to confirm that I’m leaving at the end of the season.
It was easily the toughest decision I’ve ever made in my life.
I know many of you want to know why or frustrated, I haven’t talked about this… pic.twitter.com/emaw5rvxq0
— Trent Alexander Arnold (@trentaa) May 5, 2025
Carragher says Trent’s legacy is now damaged
Alexander-Arnold helped Liverpool achieve two Premier League and Champions League successes after the six-year-old boy joined the club.
But Carragher feels his legacy will now be damaged in the eyes of many Red Army fans.
He added: “Once your career is over, you can sacrifice the benefits you get in the short term with legacy, although once you are loved by fans of the biggest, most famous clubs, what you love is “part of the family,” which sounds like a cliché.
“There are many examples of really great players who provide great service everywhere but no longer feel emotionally attached to anyone. It’s not necessarily true or fair.
“That’s it, because supporters will distinguish between those who are believed to be putting the club in an ongoing struggle to capture Real Madrid’s superpower, and those accused of thinking about their profession.”
Don’t tell Liverpool fans how to think
Many non-Liverpool fans were surprised by Alexander-Arnold’s level of anger, but Carragher said he knew where the Coptics came from.
He said: “The truth is one of two more clubs to win the European Cup than Liverpool, so when top-notch academy players take this move, the resentment of the local fan base is that they try to separate themselves from their “own” or think there is something bigger or better there.
“You can call it unfair, naive, or even cheat on everything you like. People jump on me and tell me it’s wrong to think like that, and Alexander Arnold should get a good way in his new adventure.
“Liverpool fans were told that their reaction to Alexander Arnold’s departure was far beyond emotion. My reaction to this is, when analyzing how fans feel about this transfer, was my reaction really naive, was he deceived?”
Liverpool’s next game at Anfield will be on Sunday for Arsenal.
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