Former Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness has theorised that a move for Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid may already be in the works.
The first international break of the season often feels like an extension of the summer transfer window’s ‘Silly Season,’ with rumours galore.
The latest comes from none other than Sounness, who, speaking with Simon Jordan and Troy Deeney on the Three Up Front podcast, suggested Alexander-Arnold may head to the Bernabeu in the next summer transfer window.
It’s a possibility given the Scouse vice-captain is out of contract at the end of the season but nothing concrete has emerged yet to suggest it’s more than that.
Souness says Alexander-Arnold is tailor-made for Real Madrid
Trent Alexander-Arnold. Credit: Imago Images
Souness said: “Trent Alexander-Arnold is tailor-made for Real Madrid in terms of the way he plays, and he’s got an unbelievable delivery – not to mention he’s good friends with Jude Bellingham.
“He could end up at Madrid and that message may already have been relayed to Liverpool.
“I don’t see any obvious reason to take Trent off against Manchester United, other than if they know he’s leaving. They’d still want to keep him on side for the rest of the season and he’ll go for free at the end of it.
“The message that he’s made up his mind may already have been relayed to the higher-ups at the club. He’s running his contract down. If you’re going to leave Liverpool, where else other than Real Madrid can you really go to better yourself?”
There’s a few things to point out here
Just because Souness hasn’t taken the time to think of any of the possible reasons why Trent wasn’t taken off against Manchester United, here’s a few:
- He threw a tantrum when Slot did it against Brentford and the manager may have done it again to teach Trent a lesson
- Trent was at the EUROs this summer and the coaching staff may be managing his load ahead of a long season
- Slot could have wanted to make a tactical change which he saw Trent’s substitute, Conor Bradley, as being able to affect
It’s also important to point out that these are assumptions being made by Souness.
Either way, Liverpool are set to hold contract talks with Trent along with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
If Trent really wants out, we’ll know one way or another in due course.
Besides, Trent may prefer Barcelona over Madrid anyway.
He said this to GQ in 2020: “My favorite team besides Liverpool? Would be Barca.
“I feel they have the same values and beliefs as Liverpool and like to play players from the academy. I grew up watching Messi and that great Barcelona team with Iniesta and Xavi.”
