If Trent Alexander-Arnold is considering a move away from Liverpool, one could understand his reasoning.
By the summer of 2023 at the latest, the club’s ownership, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), should have presented him with an irresistible offer—securing his talents for what may be his peak years and positioning him as the emblem of a new chapter for the club. Instead, they have allowed the situation to deteriorate.
Jürgen Klopp’s achievements granted him significant authority over football-related decisions, particularly after the exit of Julian Ward in 2023 left a gap in the sporting director role. Although Jörg Schmadtke was brought in on a temporary basis, he lacked the power to negotiate contract extensions. That role remained with FSG president Mike Gordon, who had already taken a step back from day-to-day operations at the club.
This led to a disorganized recruitment strategy. On one hand, Liverpool withdrew from the chase for Jude Bellingham to concentrate on lower-cost options, while simultaneously placing a £111 million ($148 million) bid for Moises Caicedo—albeit with a lesser wage offer—only to have Chelsea outbid them.
Furthermore, FSG’s decision to initially place the club up for sale in November 2022, before reversing that decision three months later, along with Klopp’s unexpected announcement of his resignation in January, likely contributed to the diminishing importance of Alexander-Arnold’s contract negotiations on the club’s agenda.
However, this situation should now become a high priority. After Saturday’s victory against Bournemouth, when asked whether he wished to remain with the club, Alexander-Arnold stated, “What I will say is that I want to be a Liverpool player this season.” He may not have intended his words to be interpreted as pressure on the club, but supporters may understandably feel anxious reading that, particularly with recent reports indicating Real Madrid’s interest in him.
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Alexander-Arnold discusses Liverpool future – what he said and what he meant
There is a sensible rationale for Real Madrid’s interest. Their right-back, Dani Carvajal, is set to turn 33 in January, edging closer to the end of his contract. Reports from Spain indicate that he is expected to sign a new contract and remain at Santiago Bernabéu until 2025, but a replacement will need to be identified eventually.
The presence of Bellingham at the Bernabéu could also play a role. Despite being players for different clubs in separate countries, a connection between Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold has developed—this summer, they vacationed together in Los Angeles, and their joint celebration for England during Euro 2024 highlighted their friendship.
Considering Alexander-Arnold’s desire to compete in an “elite” setting, as he mentioned following the Bournemouth match, he is likely now acutely aware of what Madrid could offer him should an opportunity arise.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future remains a hot topic during this pivotal time for Liverpool.
Alexander-Arnold addressed his Liverpool future on Saturday (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
In a 2018 interview with Liverpool’s website, Alexander-Arnold expressed a desire to stay at Anfield forever. However, if the 26-year-old chooses to leave, it is unlikely that reasonable supporters will strongly oppose his decision. Unlike the situations faced by Steven Gerrard or Steve McManaman, where the team’s hope for a league title was significantly tied to their presence, Alexander-Arnold’s departure would not carry the same weight.
McManaman left Liverpool for Real Madrid in 1999 after the club had gone nine seasons without a championship. Similarly, Gerrard announced his intention to join Chelsea after a 15-year wait since Liverpool’s last league title, only to retract his decision within 24 hours upon realizing its impact on his family.
Both McManaman and Gerrard were homegrown talents who rose through Liverpool’s ranks. Alexander-Arnold shares this background; however, his circumstances differ, as he may feel he has already achieved most of what he can at the club. Although some fans express ongoing frustration over FSG’s investment decisions, that sentiment has softened due to the successes players like Alexander-Arnold have contributed to the team.
A move to Madrid would undoubtedly increase his earnings. Beyond salary, he would secure a substantial signing-on fee since he is out of contract. While embracing a new lifestyle that may not be as serene as it appears, he would likely collect more trophies as part of a squad built to dominate Spanish football and consistently challenge for the Champions League.
However, leaving Liverpool might bring feelings of regret. Alexander-Arnold has consistently expressed his desire to be the club captain and, given his current role as deputy to Virgil van Dijk—another player whose contract also expires next summer—he is theoretically next in line.
Though Alexander-Arnold has won a league title, it was not the victory he had envisioned; pandemic restrictions prevented fans from celebrating at Anfield. In a previous conversation with The Athletic, he revealed that lack of atmosphere fueled his ambition to achieve the title again, driven by the desire to witness the vibrant reactions from his hometown.
If he departs now, history may categorize him as an important figure for Liverpool, albeit not necessarily among its all-time greats. In discussions surrounding an all-time Liverpool XI, his spot as right-back isn’t guaranteed, especially considering he would face competition from Phil Neal, the club’s most decorated player.
<img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-5788331 size-full" src="https://static01.nyt.com/athletic/uploads/wp/2024/09/23095537/GettyImages-1365884807-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" srcset="https://static01.nyt.com/athletic/uploads/wp/2024/09/23095537/GettyImages-1365884807-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://static01.nyt.com/athletic/uploads/wp/2024/09/23095537/GettyImages-1365884807-300
Phil Neal is Liverpool’s most decorated player (Parry/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Although Neal played a significant role during Liverpool’s most successful period, he was not as flamboyant and did not contribute as prominently to the team’s creative play.
After Graeme Souness left in 1984, Neal captained the team for just one season, yet he did not secure any trophies. Should Alexander-Arnold take on similar leadership and lead the squad to another league title, many would consider him eclipsing Neal in this debate.
It’s possible that Alexander-Arnold envisions a return to the club one day, much like Ian Rush did after his time with Juventus. However, there are risks involved, as Michael Owen’s experience illustrates. He believed he would regret not taking the chance in Madrid, only to discover that leaving Liverpool made it uncertain for him to return.
Of course, it’s unclear when Liverpool might claim another title, and this uncertainty likely influences Alexander-Arnold’s mindset. As he has mentioned, his primary focus is on winning trophies.
In some respects, choosing to remain with the club would be a romantic decision. Phil Thompson was the last local player to captain Liverpool to a title in 1980—a milestone that Gerrard was never able to achieve. For many fans, Gerrard ranks alongside Kenny Dalglish as a club legend. If Alexander-Arnold decides to leave, we may never fully appreciate whether he deserved to be mentioned in the same breath as them.
(Top photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
