Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is worried that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ambition to win the Ballon d’Or will see him leave the club for join in Real Madrid
The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, along with team-mates Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, and there are no signs the full-back is close to signing new terms.
Instead, Alexander-Arnold has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, fifteen-time winner of the Champions Leaguewho were surprisingly mistreated 4-0 of the Barcelona rivals at home this past weekend in the first Clásico of the season.
PSG have also received interest in Alexander-Arnold, who revealed before in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal who want to be the first full-back ever to win the coveted Ballon d’Or.
Alexander-Arnold admitted he wants to create a legacy and be remembered as the “best right-back to ever play football”, something Carragher believes he can only achieve if he ends up leaving Liverpool for Madrid.
“My first thought when I saw it was that you’re not going to win the Ballon d’Or as a Liverpool right-back,” Carragher said. Sky Sports. “The Ballon d’Or winners usually play for Real Madrid or Barcelona. That’s where the best players in the world go.
“If that is his ultimate ambition, I think he was asked to win the Champions League, the World Cup or the Ballon d’Or and he went for the Ballon d’Or – which seems a bit weird or weird to me because it’s a team game, but it has big ambitions and why not? You only have one run, it’s a unique side and it’s absolutely amazing.
“But the first thing that came to mind when I read that interview is that it makes me think he will Real Madrid.
He continued: “I actually think Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah will stay. I think so, but the more time I spend with Trent, the more I feel he’s going to leave.
“It’s the biggest club in the world. Being a local boy again, there will be frustration for Liverpool supporters the longer this goes on and doesn’t sign a contract. “
Alexander-Arnold has made over 330 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions since breaking into the first team during the 2016/17 season. He quickly became a regular starter for Jurgen Klopp, playing a key role in the club’s back-to-back run. Champions League ends between 2017 and 2019.
The second of those finals resulted in a first major European trophy for Alexander-Arnold, and Premier League glory followed a season later as Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for a top category title.
Alongside Andrew Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, who is Liverpool’s vice-captain, has been recognized as one of the season’s most consistent and prolific full-backs. Premier Leaguealthough questions have often been asked about his defensive capabilities.
At Euro 2024, England experimented with playing Alexander-Arnold in midfield – a role he also filled for Klopp towards the end of his tenure at Liverpool – but Arne Slot has opted to play him at full-back more conventional in what has been an impressive. Start of the 2024/25 season.
