JAMIE CARRAGHER has revealed why he thinks Liverpool fans have been left upset by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Anfield exit.
Alexander-Arnold announced today that he will leave boyhood club Liverpool after 20 years on the expiration of his current deal this summer.
GettyJamie Carragher has revealed why Liverpool fans have been left fuming with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool exit[/caption]
RexAlexander-Arnold has today revealed that he is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season[/caption]
GettyThe right-back looks set to join Real Madrid[/caption]
The 26-year-old right-back released an emotional video in which he explained he is ready to find a new challenge, but admitted that “people won’t be happy”.
And he has already been on receiving end of significant backlash, with fan videos showing his Liverpool shirt being set on fire and abuse directed at him online immediately after his announcement.
Nothing is official yet, but Alexander-Arnold appears to be on the brink of penning a six-year contract with Real Madrid worth around £240,000-per-week.
It’s that move that Carragher thinks has left a sour taste in the mouth of the Anfield faithful – suggesting that Madrid are seen as a direct rival to the Reds.
In his Telegraph column, Carragher wrote: “Liverpool are in the business of winning more Premier League and Champions League titles. Anything which undermines that is a threat.
“You may not agree, or believe that competitive attitude to the loss of a star player is justified, but it is what makes Liverpool the successful club it is, and it is no different than what you would expect at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Manchester United.
“By leaving Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold is making it harder for his own club to win its 21st league title and seventh European Cup. That is bound to stir emotions.”
While he also harked back to his own experience of being a Liverpool player, recalling the time he was asked by Geoff Shreeves if he should think about joining a “bigger” club than the Merseyside outfit.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s emotional goodbye
Here’s a look at Alexander-Arnold’s goodbye statement in full…
After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season.
This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.
I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No.20.
This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.
But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.
I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club, and I hope you feel like I’ve given back to you during my time here.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody – my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff and our incredible supporters – for the last 20 years.
I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never, ever take for granted the special moments I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all. My love for this club will never die.
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Carragher recalled simply replying: “Who’s bigger than Liverpool?”
The retired centre-back also claimed that fans feel that an academy player like Alexander-Arnold jumping ship can come across as though he is looking for “something bigger or better”.
That is an idea that Alexander-Arnold refuted himself during his goodbye video, saying: “I think the decision for me is personal. To change my environment, to challenge myself elsewhere.
“It’s not about wanting to find something better, it’s about me and my personal journey as a player and I feel like now is the best time for me to go and experience that.
“People won’t be happy with the decision, but it’s something I feel that I need to do with my career”.
Carragher even compared the exit to if Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes had left Manchester United in their pomp, or even John Terry parting ways with Chelsea and Bukayo Saka turning his back on Arsenal.
However, he conceded that Alexander-Arnold will always be regarded as a Liverpool legend, citing his iconic quick corner against Barcelona in 2019 as a moment that will go down in history at the club.
While the England international also helped Liverpool win two Premier League titles, two League Cups, one FA Cup and the Champions League during his tenure at the club.
The Athletic report Alexander-Arnold informed manager Arne Slot of his decision to leave the club in a face-to-face meeting at the club’s Kirkby training complex in March after the ankle injury he sustained against Paris Saint-Germain in the Last-16 of the Champions League.
Slot is said to have expressed his disappointment but respected the decision, telling him: “You’re a huge part of this team and let’s end it on a high together.”
Alexander-Arnold then replied: “My mindset and commitment won’t change. I’ll continue to give everything for this club until the final day.”
Now the football community will wait with bated breath to see what kind of reception Alexander-Arnold gets from the cop when the champions host Arsenal on Sunday at Anfield.
Even the official club statement from Liverpool appeared to read as blunt, pointing at the fact that the academy graduate had informed them of his decision – not the other way round.
It read: “Trent Alexander-Arnold has informed Liverpool FC of his intention to leave the club this summer upon the expiry of his current contract.
“Trent will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success.”
Local lad Alexander-Arnold has been with The Reds since he was just six years old – becoming one of their greatest ever academy graduates and making over 350 appearances since his debut in 2016, aged 18.
PA:Press AssociationAlexander-Arnold won the Champions League with Liverpool[/caption]
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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