Jamie Carragher is convinced Liverpool star wants to leave but warns of 'consequences'

Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher is convinced Trent Alexander-Arnold wants to leave the club, but has warned the right-back he could permanently lose the affections of Reds fans if he lands a move to Real Madrid . Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of the season and could join the Bernabeu on a free transfer.

The player is considered one of the most talented defenders in Premier League history after racking up 19 goals and 84 assists in 330 appearances for the Reds.

He played a leading role as Liverpool won their first Premier League trophy in 2020 and also played a key role in their Champions League and Club World Cup success the previous year.

Carragher spent his entire career at Liverpool after attending the club's academy. And writing in The Telegraph, the 46-year-old explained: “That's the biggest problem for Trent: the free transfer.

“As with Macca (Steve McManaman), the fans will feel like the club is losing an £80 million player for nothing, and they won't like that.

“My advice to Trent would be to sign a new deal, with a reasonable buyout clause, which will give the club some value if Real or anyone else decides to respect it.”

Alexander-Arnold will be free to agree terms with a foreign club from January 1 if he has not yet drawn up a new contract with Liverpool at that stage.

And Carragher added: “The big question now for Trent Alexander-Arnold is how much he values ​​his legacy as a Liverpool great and how he wants to be remembered over the many years who follow the short career of a professional footballer.

“My instinct is that Trent wants a change. He doesn't live on Merseyside, as many of the team do, and he seems to have a taste for something different. This is his prerogative, but it also has a price.

“If he leaves for free this summer, it will be difficult for many Liverpool fans to accept the loss of a major asset for nothing.

“The club is their world and many of us see no reason why Liverpool couldn't compete for the biggest trophies under Slot. Of course, life at Real is also pretty good and Trent may well accept the consequences at Liverpool from a move to Madrid.

“But deep down he's a Liverpool boy, and he'll be long retired. For those who stay the course at Liverpool, that love and affection from the fans is for life.