Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of the stars of the show at the weekend, where Liverpool put six past a hapless Spurs side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The English right-back whipped in a cross that was converted by Luis Diaz to open the scoring for the Reds.
The Englishman’s strong performances are part of Arne Slot’s machine that is chugging towards the Premier League title, four points ahead of second placed Chelsea and having a game in hand over the Blues. His long-term future at Anfield, however, remains a topic of discussion and former Reds midfielder Danny Murphy has had his say.
We caught up with the former Liverpool, Tottenham and Fulham man who believes that Alexander-Arnold is likely to join Real Madrid, and he won’t be affected by the lack of success English players have tasted at the Santiago Bernabeu.
I will not begrudge Trent Alexander-Arnold even though I want him to stay
Murphy says that he would like to see Alexander-Arnold stay at Liverpool but admits that he wouldn’t personally begrudge him leaving. He explains that Alexander-Arnold has always been at Liverpool and a move to a new club, a new league and a new country would expand his football education and career.
“I think Trent is already one of the best right-backs in the world so I don’t think he needs to confirm that. I personally wouldn’t blame him or begrudge him if he wanted to go and try something else in his life and go play for one of the other biggest clubs in the world.
“He’s a Scouser. He’s been in Liverpool his whole life. Maybe a change is something he’s always dreamt of and wanted to do. Who knows?
“In terms of his football education, going to a different country and league, that’s gonna enhance him. Of course, I, like many other Liverpool fans, want him to stay because he’s such a wonderful player but inevitably players don’t always stay at one club their whole career. We very rarely see that.”
Jamie Carragher recently warned Alexander-Arnold about moving to Real Madrid, giving the example of Steve McManaman who is not held in as high of a regard at Liverpool as Steven Gerrard, despite the former winning trophies at both Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Murphy, however, doesn’t think that these discussions will be weighing heavily on Alexander-Arnold’s mind.
“Steve McManaman went to Real Madrid and had a wonderful time. Michael Owen only stayed a year. I don’t think Trent is going to really overthink what other players have done. He’d be looking at his own situation. He’s a player who’s got complete belief in his own ability, that’s for sure.”
“My gut feeling is that Alexander-Arnold will go”
The ex England international continues, saying that his gut tells him that Alexander-Arnold will join Real Madrid. He further adds that if that were not the case, his contract situation would have been handled already by the club.
Murphy is a bit critical of the club management for letting it come to this stage and is hopeful that they won’t allow contract discussions to play out like this in the future.
“My gut feeling is that he’s going to go. I think if he were to stay that would probably have been sorted by now.
“There does seem to be a little bit of contention around certain supporters who think he should stay and he owes the club but the reality is the club have let him get to this position. They should have tied him up a long time ago. It’s a difficult one and quite unusual for Liverpool to have let this one happen. They should learn from it and it shouldn’t happen again.
“I think that if he does go, the majority of Liverpool fans will wish him the best and thank him for an amazing time and what he’s given the club.”
Liverpool are set to host struggling Leicester City on Boxing Day, as Arne Slot’s side look to further extend their advantage over their title-chasing rivals. The Reds are priced at 1/12 on William Hill to beat the Foxes, which isn’t at all surprising given the gulf in class between both teams so far this season. Leicester are priced at 4/11 on bet365 to be relegated from the Premier League, and will know they’re likely to be in for a tough test at Anfield.
Conor Bradley won’t immediately replace Trent but can grow into the role
When it comes to replacing Alexander-Arnold, fans and analysts alike have been impressed by Conor Bradley. Murphy is in the same boat but adds that it will take time for Bradley to establish and impose himself in the manner that Trent Alexander-Arnold did and that both club and fans will have to be patient with him.
“In terms of replacing him, obviously they’ve got Conor Bradley there who’s a fantastic young full-back who has different attributes but still looks a wonderful player. I think it would be unfair to think he can walk into the team and fill Trent’s boots, week in and week out.”
Murphy is of the view that Liverpool will have to make moves in the transfer market to either replace Alexander-Arnold or have a player who can share the responsibility with Bradley.
“I think if Trent was to leave, they’d have to dip into the transfer market and get someone in to share that role or compete with Conor Bradley for that role, or take over it. Not that I don’t have belief in Conor Bradley but he’s only just started establishing himself in the squad. I think they’d already be planning for it, if he does go.”
Malo Gusto would be the perfect fit but I don’t see Chelsea selling him to title rivals
In Murphy’s opinion, Chelsea’s Malo Gusto would be the perfect replacement for Alexander-Arnold as he has a similar skill-set. He also addresses Gusto’s impact at the Blues by mentioning how Reece James’ absence hasn’t been talked about so much this season and that’s largely because of Gusto.
“Malo Gusto would be a very interesting option but I don’t see how Chelsea would let him go. The biggest compliment you can pay to Gusto is that not many people have talked about Reece James’ absence any more.
“Gusto has impressed me. I’ve seen him live twice this season and four-five times on television. I think he’s got that lovely balance of being really good going forward, getting in great attacking areas, good delivery and one-on-one defending.”
Murphy, however, doesn’t think that Chelsea would be open to Gusto joining Liverpool but PSR rules could work in the Reds’ favour for this move.
“He’d be perfect but I don’t see Chelsea letting it happen where he walks out of the door and joins their competitors. But with PSR rules and the way football is now, you never know.”
