Trent Alexander-Arnold offered Steve McManaman advice to Real Madrid as Liverpool sweated

Steve McManaman insisted Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision over a possible move to Real Madrid was a personal one, but reminded the Liverpool vice-captain of his own enjoyable experience at the Bernabeu.

Alexander-Arnold, injured in Saturday's match against Aston Villa, is one of three Reds players whose contract expires at the end of the season.

While Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are over 30, the right-back, at 26, still has many years left in his prime. McManaman was 27 when he let his contract at Anfield expire and joined the Bernabeu at the end of the 1998-99 season.

He spent four years in the Spanish capital before returning to England to finish his career at Manchester City. However, Liverpool academy graduate Michael Owen had a different experience, ending his time at Madrid after just one season.

Nonetheless, Alexander-Arnold was reminded that he had to consider several factors. “Would I be cheering for him? I had the most wonderful time,” McManaman said on TNT Sports ahead of Liverpool's Premier League win over Villa.

“I think if you talk to anyone else, Michael Owen has only been there for a year, he had a really good time but he came back. Personally, I don't know Trent's situation. I think Liverpool want him to stay but that's an entirely personal matter, isn't it?

“Do Real Madrid want him? I think every club in the world would want him, someone of his caliber on the loose… I think that goes without saying. But he might want to stay here – his family is here – or he might think, “You know what, I've been here 20 years as a man and boy, I'm going to try a new place.”

“Because once he stays, if he stays and signs a five or six year contract here, he’s here for the future, isn’t he, he’s here for life.”

McManaman also humorously pointed out that Real Madrid haven't been at their best recently. Carlo Ancelotti's side have struggled to defend their Champions League title, suffering defeats to Lille and AC Milan, leaving them in 18th place out of 36 teams in the new league phase.

They also suffered defeat in the first Clasico of the season, losing 4–0 to league leaders Barcelona. However, they bounced back on Saturday with Vinicius Junior scoring a hat-trick in a four-goal win over Osasuna.

This victory was overshadowed by the injury of Eder Militao, who was sent off after half an hour. The centre-back, who was out for most of last campaign due to a cruciate ligament injury, suffered another torn ACL and will be out for the remainder of the season.