Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has spoken about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s potential move to Real Madrid, admitting he would never have done it. He considers the Reds to be one of the best teams in Europe.
Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool legend, admitted that he understands Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to move to Real Madrid, but that he would not have done the same.
The legendary Liverpool midfielder reviewed Alexander-Arnold’s potential transfer to Real Madrid on a podcast with Rio Ferdinand.
“Any player is going to pay attention if Real Madrid or Barcelona come in for him. Madrid came in for me when Mourinho was there, seriously. And I listened. It wasn’t talked about much because we said no pretty quickly, but I listened. They had my attention. It’s Real Madrid. It doesn’t matter who you are, if those clubs come in, you think about it. And if you don’t, you’re not human. That’s why I understand the situation with Trent. His best mate plays there, maybe he wants a new challenge, he’s already won everything at Liverpool… There’s a part of me that understands it,” Gerrard said.
“But if I put on the Liverpool shirt, I think, what are you doing? You’re at one of the best teams in Europe, winning things that I still dream of winning, you’re one of the most important players in the team, the fans adore you, what are you doing?”
Gerrard acknowledged that he understands the criticism of Alexander-Arnold, as long as it doesn’t cross a certain line.
“The next one who goes to Barcelona or Madrid is also going to be criticised. You’re always going to be criticised, you have to live with it. Except with those who cross the line, the harassment and all that. That has to stop. But constructive criticism from people who pay their money to go to the stadium, who buy your shirt… It’s different. They are the ones who go to Dortmund to see him play paying 3000 pounds, the people who adore him, who spend 90 pounds on his shirt. You have to accept it and move on.”
“He has taken a big risk. He is a great footballer, one of the best passers I have ever seen. He is in the conversation with Beckham and Scholes without a doubt, but being a leader of Liverpool, with a renewal on the table… He took a risk. I hope it works out for him.”
Asked by Ferdinand if he would have done it, Gerrard was emphatic. “I wouldn’t have done it.”
