ARNE SLOT has hit out at fans who have questioned Trent Alexander-Arnold’s commitment to Liverpool.
The out-of-contract defender is heavily tipped to be on his way to Real Madrid this summer.
Arne Slot hit out at fans questioning Trent Alexander-Arnold
ReutersThe defender is hotly tipped to move to Real Madrid in the summer[/caption]
The expected move has been hit with backlash from fans, with Liverpool set to miss out on millions from a valuation transfer deal.
However, Alexander-Arnold, 25, silenced some critics with a match-winning strike against Leicester City.
The goal not only relegated the Foxes but also put the Reds just one win away from claiming their second Premier League title.
Alexander-Arnold celebrated the goal in front of the Liverpool fans passionately as he whipped off his shirt in jubilation.
Speaking after the match, Slot labelled those who question the England international as “ridiculous”.
He said: “The headline today should be the goal he scored and not about his contract but it would be ridiculous if someone argues his commitment for this club.
“The work rate he puts in. No one can argue his commitment to this club but the headlines should be his great goal and not his contract.
“I don’t think it only meant a lot for him, for everyone who loves Liverpool.
“A big moment and big players like to have big moments in their career. Virgil had one last week.
“Players of the quality of Trent, you know these players step up when most needed.”
ReutersHe netted a vital winner against Leicester City[/caption]
Alexander-Arnold is believed to have put pen to paper on a five-year contract to play in the Spanish capital.
However, there has been no official confirmation on the move that would see him lose his iconic No.66 shirt.
He was also asked about his future on the pitch of the King Power Stadium.
The defender did not give much away as he insisted he is happy to be closing on the title.
He told Sky Sports: “I’ve said all season I’m not going to speak on my situation. I’m not going to go into details.
“But days like these are always special.
“Scoring goals, winning games and being close to winning titles are special moments that will live with me forever. I’m glad to be part of it.”
Liverpool could still earn some cash from the exit of Alexander-Arnold.
Should he make the move to the Santiago Bernabeu before the Club World Cup on June 15, then a fee would be needed to buy him out of his contract that runs until June 30.
It is thought that Real Madrid are willing to stump up £5million to make the move happen on June 1.
Alexander-Arnold could become a two-time Premier League champion should Arsenal lose to Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
If the Gunners win, then the Reds can wrap up the title with victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday in front of the crowd at Anfield.
GettyJamie Carragher does not think Alexander-Arnold should be starting games for Liverpool[/caption]
Carragher has urged the club to back Conor BradleyPA
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, however, has hit out at the defender and suggested that he should not be playing if he is on his way out.
He said: “If Trent hasn’t committed to the manager for next season, he shouldn’t be starting games.
“Liverpool are not here as a football club to give someone a send-off.
“It’s not about: ‘Let’s give Trent a send-off.’ It’s about: ‘We need to assess whether Conor Bradley is the guy for us next season playing week in, week out.’
“The decision Liverpool have is: ‘Does Conor Bradley become our first-choice right back and we buy a back-up player?’ or ‘Are we buying a first-choice right back and Conor Bradley is going to have to battle with him?’
“So that lad [Bradley] needs as much experience as he can get.
“So, yes, bring [Alexander-Arnold] on if you need to go and win the game.
“But, in terms of starting games, if Trent hasn’t committed to the club, Conor Bradley should be starting every game.”
What happened to the Englishmen who joined Real Madrid?
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD looks set to join Real Madrid this summer and will join an exclusive club to pull on the famous white jersey.
So had did those who came before him get on?
LAURIE CUNNINGHAM (1979-1984)
Real Madrid splashed out £950,000 to sign Cunningham from West Brom in 1979.
As one of the “Three Degrees” alongside Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson, Cunningham had left an unforgettable mark at the Hawthorns.
The left winger became an instant hit in the Spanish capital, scoring twice on his debut.
Cunningham helped his side to the LaLiga title in 1980, and played in the European Cup final against Liverpool the following year.
Following a loan spell with Manchester United, Cunningham moved to Marseille in 1984.
Having played for Leicester, Charleroi and Wimbledon, Cunningham returned to Madrid with Rayo Vallecano in 1988.
The following year he tragically died in a car crash in the city aged just 33.
STEVE MCMANAMAN (1999-2003)
Like Alexander-Arnold is set to, McManaman left boyhood club Liverpool for the bright lights of Madrid in 1999.
A silky winger, McManaman proved to be a hit in Madrid.
The Bernabeu crowd immediately took to their new English hero, with his floppy hair and nonchalant flair.
McManaman helped Real win six trophies in four years, and scored his side’s second goal in their victorious 2000 Champions League final.
He went on to leave Madrid in 2003, spending the final two years of his career with Manchester City.
After hanging up his boots, McManaman worked as a pundit for Setanta Sports, BT Sport and ESPN.
Now 53, he can regularly be seen on TNT Sports’ football coverage, especially when Liverpool or Real Madrid are playing.
DAVID BECKHAM (2003-2007)
In 2003, Real Madrid made Manchester United superstar Beckham their latest Galactico.
Golden Balls joined a squad boasting the likes of Ronaldo, Raul, Zinedine Zidane and Roberto Carlos in the Spanish capital.
Despite his love for high-end fashion and the celebrity lifestyle, Beckham became much beloved in Spain for his incredible work rate, professionalism and of course, quality.
Despite boasting a star-studded squad, the fabled La Decima – a tenth Champions League triumph – eluded Real Madrid during his four-year stint.
He didn’t leave empty-handed, however, winning the LaLiga title in 2007 before leaving for LA Galaxy.
Since Beckham hung up his boots in 2013 he has continued to have several endorsement deals; including the likes of Adidas, Armani, Pepsi and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Beckham, 49, also owns MLS side Inter Miami, and played a big role in their groundbreaking deal for Lionel Messi in 2023.
MICHAEL OWEN (2004-2005)
Like McManaman before him, Owen quit Liverpool for Real Madrid.
But the former Ballon d’Or winner endured a frustrating season at the Bernabeu, finding himself stuck behind Ronaldo and Raul.
Twelve months on from Owen’s £8million switch, Real Madrid doubled their money by flogging him to Newcastle.
Owen then spent three years with Liverpool’s rivals Man Utd, before one final year at Stoke.
Immediately after hanging up his boots, Owen signed up to be BT Sport’s primary co-commentator upon the channel’s launch.
In addition to his punditry work, the former striker has enjoyed several other ventures.
Owen, 45, has his own clothing range with Peacocks, while he also appeared on The Masked Singer.
JONATHAN WOODGATE (2004-2007)
Woodgate endured one of the most infamous debuts of all time after switching Newcastle for Real Madrid in 2004.
The luckless defender went through injury hell following the £13.4m transfer, having to wait 17 months before playing his first game.
Just 25 minutes in, the England international headed into his own net. Things then got even worse when he was sent off just after the hour mark.
Woodgate played just 14 times that season, before a loan move to Middlesbrough effectively ended his Real Madrid career.
After signing permanently for Boro, Woody earned a move to Tottenham in January 2008. He won the League Cup barely a month later, and remains the last Spurs player to score a winning goal in a cup final.
Following spells with Stoke and back at Middlesbrough, Woodgate retired in 2016.
He has since gone into coaching, managing Boro and Bournemouth.
Woodgate, 45, returned to Middlesbrough once again in 2022, where he works as a first team coach under Michael Carrick.
JUDE BELLINGHAM (2023-present)
England superstar Bellingham sealed a blockbuster £115m transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid in the summer of 2023.
The move has been a resounding success, with the midfielder immediately excelling in Spain.
Bellingham scored on his debut, and went on net five times in his first four LaLiga matches.
The image of the 21-year-old with his arms outstretched has quickly become an iconic one.
Birmingham’s finest has already won LaLiga and the Champions League during his young career.
And with Alexander-Arnold soon to be alongside him, Bellingham will feel that he can add plenty more to his already impressive trophy tally.
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