Carragher on Trent’s departure: “I’m not upset, I’m disappointed…”
Liverpool legend can’t understand Englishman’s farewell to his youth club for Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, like many Liverpool fans, cannot understand why Trent Alexander-Arnold does not see his long-term future at Anfield amid reports of a potential move to Real Madrid .The 26-year-old England international’s contract, along with those of two other key Reds players Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk , expires at the end of the season, and European media have already reported that the full-back and the Spaniard have reached an agreement for a free transfer this summer.
In the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast , the former defender commented on the situation: «It seems like it’s not just one thing that people are unhappy about – the fact that he’s leaving for free or that he should have told the club sooner – people are upset for three or four different reasons.»
“I’m not upset about him leaving on a free transfer. What I’m saying as a local player and a Liverpool fan , and with Liverpool competing for the Premier League and the Champions League every year, is that I’m just disappointed. I put myself in his shoes, where I would think we could equal Manchester United in league trophies, I’ve got seven or eight more years at Liverpool and I want to surpass them in three or four, with a few more European cups,” he explained.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has come in for some criticism for his defensive performances during his time at Liverpool and was thrust into the spotlight when the team drew 2-2 with Manchester United in January. That display came a week after reports of a move to Real Madrid first emerged, and Carragher believes his game will be further questioned in LaLiga .
“This idea that Trent won’t be as closely monitored as in the Premier League , which is an elite championship… Real Madrid expect to win the Champions League every season. If they face Bayern in the quarter-finals and disappoint the team with a few goals conceded, the pressure will continue,” he said.
