Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp has already delivered the ideal message to guide Trent Alexander-Arnold on what to do.
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For Trent Alexander-Arnold, the decision he makes in 2025 will not only shape the course of his career but potentially impact his life as well. As he waits for updates on a new contract at Liverpool, speculation continues to swirl.
According to the Spanish publication MARCA, Alexander-Arnold has already decided and plans to join Real Madrid. While Arne Slot has consistently avoided commenting on the matter in public, and the player himself has preferred to keep negotiations private, an announcement seems inevitable soon.
By early 2025, Alexander-Arnold will have to make his choice. In just three days, he will be able to speak freely with foreign clubs (with Real Madrid being the likely destination) regarding a potential free transfer. If no changes occur by the season’s end, his current contract will expire.
Despite Liverpool fans likely expecting one of their own to stay at a club arguably at its peak, joining Real Madrid has its advantages. The lifestyle and climate in Spain are more appealing, and the prospect of experiencing a new challenge could be enticing.
Jamie Carragher recently pointed out that Alexander-Arnold’s departure from Liverpool on a free transfer would be perceived differently compared to Mohamed Salah or Virgil van Dijk. While all three share the same contract situation, neither Salah nor van Dijk are local academy products.
There’s an expectation surrounding Alexander-Arnold to either remain at Liverpool or, if he leaves, ensure the club receives compensation to reinvest in a replacement. Whether fair or not, his departure would be framed differently from that of his peers, given his status as a local talent and a key player for Liverpool.
Steve McManaman’s move to Real Madrid on a free transfer, where he won two Champions League titles in four years, left a lasting impact on his reputation among Liverpool supporters. His departure was never fully forgiven, and Alexander-Arnold would have to consider if he’s willing to face similar scrutiny.
Jurgen Klopp once said, “Stay here [at Liverpool] and they will end up building a statue in your honor. Go somewhere else — to Barcelona, to Bayern Munich, to Real Madrid — and you will be just another player. Here you can be something more,” as he addressed Philippe Coutinho in 2017. This sentiment applies equally to Alexander-Arnold, with the choice between the allure of Real Madrid and the unique legacy he could build at Liverpool.
Had Arne Slot’s appointment not gone smoothly or if Manchester City were set to dominate yet again, leaving Liverpool might have been easier to justify. However, with the current state of affairs, Alexander-Arnold has just as much chance of winning another Champions League at Liverpool as he would at the Bernabeu.
While trophies matter, Alexander-Arnold has frequently emphasized his desire to leave a “legacy” and how he wants to be remembered in football. His decision regarding his future will significantly impact how he is viewed by the Liverpool supporters—arguably the most important group in his career. Klopp’s words to Coutinho seem particularly relevant now, especially since his departure didn’t go as he envisioned. If Alexander-Arnold leaves, as a local hero, his legacy on Merseyside would undoubtedly change.
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