There has unsurprisingly been widespread reaction to yesterday’s news that Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to agree a move to Real Madrid in the summer.
Months of speculation appear to be coming to a head, with Liverpool now seemingly resigned to losing their vice-captain on a free transfer later this year, having been unable to convince him to stay despite apparently offering higher wages than Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
The manner of the England international’s impending exit has left many Reds supporters feeling scorned, but one former Premier League striker has called for the 26-year-old’s critics to get off his back.
Agbonlahor: Trent will have no regrets about leaving Liverpool
Speaking with Jeff Stelling on talkSPORT, Gabby Agbonlahor insisted that Trent has every right to make his own decisions and believes he’ll have no regrets about taking his opportunty to join Real Madrid.
The ex-Aston Villa marksman said: “Let Trent decide his own future. Just because he’s born and bred in Liverpool, been there since he was six years old, does it mean that he has to stay there for the rest of his career?
“He’s completed the game there. Let him go to Madrid and do it in a different country, different league; and when he retires, he will look back and say ‘best decision I have made’.
“I’m sure Liverpool fans will forgive him over time. He’ll go down as a Liverpool legend, one of the best full-backs to have played in the Premier League.”
Trent must own his career choices, for better or for worse
Of course Trent is well within his rights to make his own career choices, and it’s natural that the chance to sign for the most successful club in European football (and serial Champions League winners in recent years) would be too good to turn down.
However, what Agbonlahor and others who’ve been critical of Liverpool fans for feeling indignant about the whole saga seem to ignore (or not realise) is that it’s not him leaving per se which hurts, but the manner in which it’s about to happen.
Why wouldn’t Kopites feel angry that such an outstanding player – one who could plausibly have commanded a nine-figure transfer fee – is set to depart for nothing? It also hasn’t helped the 26-year-old’s standing that, unlike Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk, he’s maintained a public silence about his contract situation.
Trent will have to own whatever career choices he makes, and if he believes that going to Real Madrid gives him the best chance of winning consistent silverware and realising his ambition of winning the Ballon d’Or, so be it.
That said, some of the personal abuse directed at him on social media is uncalled for; and whatever else happens, there’s no disputing that he’s been a phenomenal player for Liverpool over the past eight years, evolving from academy graduate to one of the best right-backs in world football.
Whenever he looks back on this part of his life, we hope for his own sake that he won’t have any regrets about the way in which he’s set to leave his boyhood club.
Trent will never go down as a legend at liverpool if he leaves on a free, look at Owen & mc manaman, don’t really feature as legends, any player who has been brought through the ranks to world class stardom ,and the leaves on a free ,is a right kick in the teeth for the club, and I for one will never forgive him 😠
Selective memory. Madrid got knocked back when they approached in January. It’s the owners fault for letting his contract run down and offer him his 1st contract offer in November. Should of done it 2 years ago.
Look his head was turned by Jude and what makes it worse he’s only known him for two years he’s put his friendship above his club a club who’s by his side since he was six, if Bellingham wasn’t at Madrid the contract at Liverpool would of been signed a long time ago, he’s wrong and will always be remembered as a wrongun he’ll be treated like Owen and Macca no overly loved by the true red supporters.
TAA leaving for madrid is not a problem but going on a free is very very bad for club had he gone for 45-50 mill at least we would have money to replace him but he didn’t just wanted a big sign on fee for himself and that is a disgrace he will never be welcomed back to this club anymore
Is it money that is forcing him to join madrid or what ? If lfc knew they can’t tie him to a deal why didn’t they sell him in last winter in January beter got 20mp than let him go for free
Fed up to the back teeth of this guy. Let him go and let’s concentrate on LFC and next season.
Trent will never be a legend in Liverpool. If he being a scouser is suggesting that putting on a RM shirt brings him more glory than a red Liverpool jersey, bugger off mate. Go whenever you want, you are not needed here.