Jamie Carragher has explained why he believes Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s situation at Liverpool is different than his soon to be out-of-contract team-mates.
Alexander-Arnold is one of several first-team stars coming to the end of their current deal at Anfield, alongside the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
The 26-year-old, Van Dijk and Salah have been a consistent pillar in Liverpool’s recent success but all three could soon depart for pastures new.
When Arne Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp this summer, he inherited a side where three of his starting XI could potentially leave on a free at the end of his first campaign.
Contract talks have begun with Salah, who has been the most vocal about his position at the club, with Liverpool also said to be keen on keeping Van Dijk at the club.
Speaking on the trio’s future on Merseyside, Carragher detailed why he believes Alexander-Arnold’s situation to be unique as he enters the final months of his deal.
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Jamie Carragher has revealed why the situation surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future differs from that of his team-mates’
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Both Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk could also depart Liverpool on a free next summer
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But Carragher insisted that Alexander-Arnold’s status as a Liverpool local makes his situation different to that of Salah and Van Dijk
‘The fans’ attitude towards Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, both also out of contract in the summer, is not the same as it is for Trent,’ Carragher wrote in The Telegraph.
‘There are lots of reasons for that but a big part of that is the local-boy factor. The feeling is that playing for Liverpool should be the ultimate ambition for a Liverpool lad.
‘It was that way for Macca, Michael, Stevie and myself and it will be the same for Trent and Curtis Jones.
‘Other locally sourced players have left Liverpool, and in the case of Ian Rush, from North Wales, come back. But Rush left for Juventus for a good fee. The situation with Salah and Van Dijk has so far meant that there has been less focus on Trent.’
He added that the thought of one of the club’s most successful academy graduates leaving on a free transfer is intolerable to the club’s faithful.
Like Alexander-Arnold, Steve McManaman emerged from the Liverpool youth set up to become a integral component to his boyhood club’s success.
However, after nearly a decade of senior football at the club, McManaman opted to leave on the expiry of his deal.
After a highly-publicised saga surrounding his future, McManaman ultimately departed for Real Madrid with the deal completed before the end of his final season at Anfield, a move that harmed his legacy at Liverpool according to Carragher.
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The former Reds defender insisted playing for his local club was a lifelong ambition for the likes of himself and Steven Gerrard
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Carragher likened the situation to that of Steve McManaman who left on a free to join Real Madrid in 1999
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Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a move to the Bernabeu of his own, with a potential move seeing him join up with England team-mate Jude Bellingham
Like McManaman before him, Alexander-Arnold has also been repeatedly linked with a potential switch to the Spanish giants.
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly a keen admirer of the England international, and negotiations surrounding a move could begin in January if he elects to leave Liverpool.
The opportunity to play alongside close friend and England team-mate Jude Bellingham also serves as an incentive for Alexander-Arnold to make the move.
Carragher added that the situation could become ‘awkward’ if the Reds should meet Los Blancos in the Champions League knock-out phase, and added that his ‘instinct’ is that Alexander-Arnold is ready for a change.
Liverpool currently sit top of the Premier League table after embarking on a blistering start to the campaign under Slot.
They remain two points clear of second-place Chelsea and have a game in hand.
The Reds travel to north London on Sunday to take on Tottenham before hosting strugglers Leicester on Boxing Day.
