Football pundit Jamie Carragher recently shared his belief that Liverpool’s right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, might leave Anfield for a future with Real Madrid.
With Alexander-Arnold now in the final year of his contract, ongoing links to the La Liga giants have only intensified. Carragher pointed out that Alexander-Arnold has ambitious career goals, including winning the Ballon d’Or — an achievement typically associated with players at elite clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Carragher explained to Sky Sports that players who win the Ballon d’Or often come from top Spanish clubs. He mentioned that if Alexander-Arnold truly wants to be recognized among the world’s best, Real Madrid may be a logical destination.
The English defender’s choice of the Ballon d’Or as his ultimate career goal, over traditional team goals like the Champions League or World Cup, also surprised Carragher. Generally, players prioritize team success over individual awards, but Carragher sees Alexander-Arnold’s goals as reflective of his unique skills and high aspirations.
Despite this speculation, Carragher noted that he believes some of Liverpool’s current key players, including Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, are likely to stay at Anfield. However, when it comes to Alexander-Arnold, Carragher sees the situation as different, particularly if Liverpool cannot reach an agreement to extend his contract.
Alexander-Arnold’s friendship with Jude Bellingham, who currently plays for Real Madrid, could further influence his decision to move. Real Madrid’s consistent pursuit of Champions League titles may also appeal to Alexander-Arnold, given his competitive nature and drive for excellence.
Liverpool faces potential uncertainties not only with Alexander-Arnold’s future but also with players like Salah and Van Dijk.
However, Carragher highlights that Alexander-Arnold would be particularly difficult to replace due to his unique talent as a right-back with advanced playmaking abilities.
His offensive contributions from the backline are hard to find in today’s transfer market, adding to Liverpool’s dilemma.
Carragher also reflected on how Alexander-Arnold’s skill set aligns well with Real Madrid’s style of play. At Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold has become known for his attacking mindset, regularly pushing forward and creating goal-scoring opportunities.
Real Madrid, known for its strong attacking play, could be an ideal match for his skillset. Carragher’s insights underscore the challenges Liverpool may face in keeping their star defender.
