Jamie Carragher discusses Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave Liverpool

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave the Reds for Real Madrid will compromise his legacy at the club.

Former Liverpool defender Carragher wrote in his column for The Telegraph:

What is gained in the short-term can be sacrificed in terms of a legacy once a career is over, and although it might sound like a cliche to say you are "part of a family" once you are loved by the fans of the biggest, most storied clubs, it is true.

26-year-old Alexander-Arnold has officially confirmed he will depart his boyhood club Liverpool upon the expiry of his contract this summer.

Although his destination is yet to be formally announced, it is all but certain the right-back will line up in the iconic white shirt of Real Madrid next season.

Carragher, who won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, believes Alexander-Arnold's relationship with the Reds support will now be permanently altered.

"Part of me thinks 'well done' but the competitive element in me also thinks swapping Liverpool red for Real Madrid white means he has chosen to become a rival.

"It means the next time he is at Anfield he will receive the same treatment as Luis Suarez when he returned to Merseyside in a Barcelona shirt."

Since making his first team debut for Liverpool in 2016, Alexander-Arnold has won seven major trophies with the club - two Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, one FA Cup, two EFL Cups, the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.

Upon his imminent arrival at Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold is expected to challenge Los Blancos legend Dani Carvajal for a starting berth at right-back.

Alexander-Arnold's move to Real will see him join ranks with international teammate and close personal friend Jude Bellingham, who has won five major honours since arriving in the Spanish capital from Borussia Dortmund in 2023.

James Wilson

• Liverpool F.C.
• Trent Alexander-Arnold
• Premier League
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