'Trent Alexander-Arnold's camp KNEW Real Madrid would submit a bid in January', claims Jamie Carragher - as the defender's dismal display against Man United prompts FIERCE debate among Sky Sports pundits
Share:
Trent Alexander-Arnold divided opinion in the Sky Sports studio after his dismal performance against Manchester United, amid intense interest from Real Madrid. The right back was the subject of a £20million bid from the Spanish giants in the week as he enters the final six months of his contract at Anfield. Alexander-Arnold's impressive displays this term have made it easy for Liverpool boss Arne Slot to insist that the defender is not distracted by the headlines.
![[Jamie Carragher suggested that Alexander-Arnold and his camp would have been aware of Real Madrid's bid this week]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/20/93760941-14252539-image-a-50_1736108655998.jpg)
But Sunday night's performance against the Red Devils suggested a different story. The 26-year-old fell well below his usual best in an attacking sense and was poor defensively. The display raised the question among the Sky pundits over whether the England international's mind could be elsewhere. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher even suggested that the player's representative may have invited the untimely bid, while former United defender Gary Neville disagreed and claimed that Alexander-Arnold is underappreciated in this country.
![[Gary Neville claimed that the England international, whose Anfield contract expires in the summer, is underappreciated in this country]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/20/93760943-14252539-image-a-51_1736108658495.jpg)
'I thought he was really poor. I don't think the game could have gone much worse for him,' Carragher said. 'I was expecting a really big performance. He was poor defensively but there was nothing going forwards. 'I'm not naive enough to think Real Madrid will bid in January for a player they can get for free. He's getting a lot of criticism for the fact he might leave for free.
![[The timing of Real Madrid's bid, given they can sign the defender for free in the summer, has raised some eyebrows]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/20/93761039-14252539-image-a-52_1736108993788.jpg)
