Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a move away from the Merseyside club in recent months.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly a target for Real Madrid, and Liverpool have not been able to tie him down to a new deal. There have been rumours of a potential extension, but the Reds are yet to secure an agreement with the defender.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has now urged Alexander-Arnold to sign a short deal with the club so that Liverpool do not lose him as a free agent. The Englishman’s current contract expires in the summer of 2025, and he will be able to secure a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in January over a Bosman move.
Liverpool will need substantial funds to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold. That is why Carragher wants Alexander-Arnold to repay his boyhood club by signing a short-term deal if he does not want to stay at the club.
Meanwhile, Jamie Redknapp has hit back at Carragher over his comments, and the former Liverpool midfielder believes that Carragher is being unfair with his demands. Redknapp feels that Liverpool have made a mistake by running down his contract to this point, and if Alexander-Arnold wants to move on as a free agent, he should be allowed to.
Furthermore, he now feels that the opportunity to play for Real Madrid might not come along often, and Trent Alexander-Arnold cannot be blamed for taking it up if he wants to. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.
Redknapp said via Mirror, “I think it is negligence from Liverpool, the fact they are in this position. If you are going to do that, you have to respect the decision he makes. A young player who has given everything, if he wants to try a different culture. If I was in the dressing room, I would go, ‘I would love you to sign, but good luck’. If there is a chance to go to Real, how do you turn that down?”
Carragher added, “If I was advising Trent, a lot of it is to do with the free transfer. It is that feeling that you are leaving us for nothing, where is our money to replace you? I would say, sign a contract, have a decent buyout clause and if Real want to buy you in 12 months…”
Redknapp responded: “I think you’re being really, really unfair. You can’t turn around and tell him to sign a contract. If he gets injured after signing a contract, then what happens? He has got an opportunity for a five-year deal or whatever at Real and try something different. I have total respect for whatever it is he wants to do because he has given everything to Liverpool.”
Alexander-Arnold is irreplaceable for Liverpool
Alexander-Arnold is a world-class player and an indispensable asset for Liverpool. Losing him would be a major blow for the club, and it will be interesting to see if they can convince the player to stay beyond this season.
The Merseyside outfit need to hold onto players of his quality if they are serious about competing with the European elite regularly. The 26-year-old is a player with a unique skill set, and replacing him would be nearly impossible.
