Liverpool transfers: Carragher WARNS Trent Alexander-Arnold over Real Madrid

Arne Slot's tenure at Liverpool has started impressively, but a concerning subplot looms over Anfield this season.

Three of Liverpool's key players—Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah—are all out of contract at the end of the current campaign. Each of them has started the season in excellent form and remains vital to the team’s success. If they choose to stay, they will continue to be crucial for years to come.

Liverpool seem to be optimistic about securing Alexander-Arnold’s long-term future, with the player reportedly assessing the situation under Slot’s management. However, until a formal announcement is made, there remains some anxiety among fans.

READ MORE Liverpool injuries roundup

Carragher thinks fans will react badly to Trent departure

Speaking on the 'Stick to Football' podcast, Jamie Carragher shared his thoughts on Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation, explaining why it differs from Van Dijk’s and Salah’s. Carragher mentioned Liverpool icons Steve McManaman and Steven Gerrard, both local players who faced difficult decisions about leaving the club.

Carragher said, "I’ve been thinking about this for a couple of weeks. You’ve got three players—Van Dijk, Salah, and Trent—but when you're a local player at Liverpool, leaving the club is not just a decision; it's complicated."

He continued, “If van Dijk or Salah left on a free transfer, Liverpool fans would likely wish them well and appreciate their contributions. But with Trent, it would be different. The reaction would be much more intense."

Ian Wright interjected: “There’s a Steven Gerrard vibe.”

Carragher: “Yeah, and if you go through it, it happened to [Steve] McManaman when he went to Madrid, there was no like, oh good luck, you’re going to the biggest club in the world. It was a bit like, 'who do you think you are going there?' Going there for free.

“Stevie when he [nearly] went to Chelsea. There was a two-year period of him nearly going and the fans turned [on him]. I think he [Trent] would be treated differently."