Trent's imminent departure to Real Madrid rehash old wounds for Liverpool

Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to join Real Madrid, following a path taken by McManaman, Owen, and Alonso.

Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to complete a move to Real Madrid, continuing a long history of Anfield talent making the switch to the Bernabéu.

His impending departure has ignited debate among fans, recalling previous high-profile exits such as Steve McManaman, Michael Owen, and Xabi Alonso. While Liverpool have resisted Madrid’s lure in the past, history suggests the Spanish giants’ pull remains irresistible.

Alexander-Arnold’s move echoes McManaman’s free transfer in 1999, when the winger departed Liverpool during a period of transition. Accused of betrayal by sections of the fanbase, McManaman went on to win multiple Champions League titles in Madrid, carving out a successful career in Spain.

Unlike McManaman, Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool at the peak of his career, having won both the Premier League and Champions League.

Michael Owen’s switch in 2004 was similarly controversial. The forward, who had run down his contract, was sold for a cut-price fee of £8m. Despite scoring 13 La Liga goals in his debut season, he struggled to adapt to life in Madrid and eventually sought a return to Liverpool, which never materialised.

Xabi Alonso’s 2009 transfer, though for a substantial £30m, further underlined Madrid’s ability to pry talent from Anfield. The Basque midfielder was a key part of Liverpool’s title-contending squad, but disagreements with manager Rafa Benítez and financial instability at the club paved the way for his exit.

Alonso’s move proved transformative for Madrid, with the midfielder becoming a foundation of their future success. Like McManaman before him, he too won the La Liga title and the Champions League with Real Madrid, arguably achieving more in his tenure with the Spanish giants than he did with Liverpool.

While Liverpool have managed to hold on to key players in recent years, Alexander-Arnold’s expected move suggests the club remains vulnerable to Madrid’s allure. The right-back, who has been a cornerstone of Liverpool’s success under Jürgen Klopp, will become the latest player to swap Anfield for the Spanish capital, leaving behind a legacy that few have matched.

His departure raises questions about Liverpool’s future and whether they can adequately replace a homegrown star of his calibre.

For Madrid, it is another coup, securing one of England’s finest talents without a transfer fee. As history has shown, Liverpool may find it difficult to recover from losing yet another key player to the Bernabéu.

While fans have had a mixed initial reaction to Trent's decision, few can argue against it. Real's pull, the chance to pay with his mate Jude Bellingham, and the allure of a new country along with a new culture might have been too good to ignore.

However, Liverpundians would have you believe Trent has turned his back on the football club he's been associated with for 20+ years. He's been described as a modern right-back, with his creative output and ball-playing abilities lauded as amongst the best in Europe.

In an ideal world, Trent Alexander-Arnold is a £100 million player. The fact that he's leaving on a free is not lost on Liverpool fans.

At the same time, can they blame him? Considering the fact that Trent has won all possible honours with the club and has played his entire career (thus far) with Liverpool might give him some leverage in the situation.

And while it's disappointing to be losing one of your best players for free, Liverpool fans can instead look at this situation with grace. With a solid ready-made replacement in Conor Bradley eager to step up, Liverpool might not feel Trent leaving as the worst possible situation.

With regards to his lasting legacy as a 'Liverpool legend,' only Liverpool fans can decide whether or not he's worth their time.