'End up': Former Everton player predicts how long Alexander-Arnold will stay at Liverpool if he signs new deal
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Liverpool fans are still somewhat reeling after a disappointing performance from their team against Manchester United on Sunday.
The Reds had been expected to hand out a pasting to a struggling United but could only draw 2-2 with Ruben Amorim’s side.
While the result is not an especially bad one in isolation, the nature of the overall display frustrated the crowd inside Anfield.
Perhaps the biggest irritation for the Liverpool supporters was the showing from right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Alexander-Arnold was slammed for his display, having been a constant weakness in the Liverpool back line.
With concrete suggestions that Real Madrid are pushing hard to sign Trent either in January or at the end of the season, his performances are under more scrutiny than ever. But according to former Everton man Leon Osman, there could still be a happy ending here.
Leon Osman backs ‘forever’ Trent Alexander-Arnold stay
Judging by what he offered up on Sunday, plenty of Liverpool supporters have decided that Alexander-Arnold’s head is already in Madrid.
Certainly, the 26-year-old made it easy to come to that conclusion with his performance and all-round body language.
Nevertheless, Liverpool haven’t given up hope with Trent and there is a chance he could yet stay. And speaking on BBC 5 Live Sport on Monday, Osman said that if the defender does sign on at Anfield, then he’ll likely be a Red for the rest of his career.
“Steven Gerrard missed the window to leave Liverpool and then once he got passed a certain window – which I think Trent is in right now – then you’re basically committing to your boyhood club for the rest of the your life,” said the pundit.
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“Because you’re not going to leave for a lesser opportunity, you’re only going to leave for the pinnacle and that is what is in-front of Alexander-Arnold right now.
“If he doesn’t leave he’ll end up being at Liverpool forever,” Osman added. “I’m not saying that’s a bad thing but having already won everything, Gerrard was still chasing the Premier League title, Trent is probably thinking it’s now or never.”
“I just think he’d now be best served if he said to the Liverpool fans ‘look, I’m really sorry but I think my time has come to leave the football club, I wish you all the best and we’ll enjoy these last few months.’
“If he goes having won the title I think he’ll be clapped out as well.”
Liverpool crowd turning on Trent
If Alexander-Arnold does end up staying at Liverpool for the rest of his career, then Gerrard’s own history shows that this little dalliance with Madrid will be forgotten about.
The former Liverpool captain almost left Anfield a couple of times during his career, including a very high profile flirtation with Chelsea in 2005. In the end, though, Gerrard stayed true to his city and left only once he was in the twilight of his career.
For Alexander-Arnold, that path should be appealing, too. Most will understand his deliberation with Real Madrid on the table, but the pull of being a one-club man should be strong as well.
Unfortunately, the Anfield crowd have started to turn on Trent. There is still a way back from this for the 26-year-old, but he has to make his decision either way soon.
