Jamie Carragher sends frank warning to Trent Alexander-Arnold over Real Madrid transfer
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Jamie Carragher has warned Trent Alexander-Arnold that Liverpool fans will find it 'hard to accept' him joining Real Madrid on a free next summer given his homegrown status. The Reds academy graduate has a little over six months left on his contract and, as such, is free to negotiate with clubs from overseas in January. Real Madrid's interest in the 26-year-old, particularly if he is available for nothing, has been well documented.
While it remains to be seen if Alexander-Arnold will commit his future to Liverpool or not, Carragher has referenced some of the club's other homegrown stars who have moved on in the past, including Steve McManaman, who also joined the Spanish giants on a free transfer.
Writing in The Telegraph, he says: "As a local lad, you are always treated differently. We saw it with Steven Gerrard. Even contemplating leaving for Chelsea on two occasions in his career temporarily damaged his relationship with Liverpool fans. Was it fair? It was simply the reality with a passionate, tribal fanbase.
"My team-mate Michael Owen had one year left on his contract when he joined Real from Liverpool in 2004. He too was in a struggling Liverpool team with a new manager coming in – Rafael Benítez – and a good deal of uncertainty. "Again Real paid only £8 million for a footballer who was worth much more. Michael’s time at Manchester United later in his career would have done more damage to his legacy but still – the terms of his departure to Real did not help.".
