Jamie Carragher has predicted Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool amid links to Real Madrid and the player’s Ballon d’Or ambitions.

Carragher spoke at length following Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Premier League title rivals Arsenal about Alexander-Arnold having publicly stated he would choose to win the Ballon d’Or over the Champions League [again] or World Cup. The retired defender suggested that isn’t a likely prospect if he stays at Liverpool, but pointed towards a possible backlash from supporters if he does decide to move on.

Like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of the season and could become a free agent with his pick of clubs. Real Madrid have been heavily linked in that respect, and that speculation has only been strengthened since Los Blancos veteran Dani Carvajal suffered a recent ACL injury at the age of 32. But unlike when Steve McManaman, who joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in 1999, and Steven Gerrard was linked but ultimately rebuffed interest, Carragher claimed Liverpool fans won’t as easily accept it this time given that the Reds are actually competitive with the Spanish giants as one of the best teams on the planet – that wasn’t the case in the past.

“You can try and win the Ballon d’Or, but my first thought when I read that was you’re not winning the Ballon d’Or as a right-back for Liverpool. Ballon d’Or winners normally play for Real Madrid or Barcelona, that’s where the best players in the world go,” Carragher told Sky Sports.

“If that’s his ultimate ambition – I think he was asked about winning the Champions League, World Cup, or Ballon d’Or, and he chose the Ballon d’Or, which I think is a bit strange or bizarre, it’s a team game. But he’s got massive ambition and why not, you only get one career. He is a unique full-back and is absolutely amazing. But when I read that interview, that makes me think he’s going to Real Madrid. I actually think Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk will stay, I do believe that, [but] the longer it goes on with Trent, the more I feel he’s going to go.

“There’s something about Real Madrid. It is the biggest club in the world, you’d think that. But you go back to being a local lad and there will be a frustration for Liverpool supporters the longer this goes on and he doesn’t sign a contract. In the past, you’ve had two players: one was Steve McManaman who went to Real Madrid and won two European Cups, but that wasn’t [leaving] a successful Liverpool team. [And] you had Steven Gerrard [who famously didn’t leave]. With those two players, Liverpool weren’t the best. When Trent has been a Liverpool player, Liverpool have been the best. [Fans’] reaction would be, well if you’re a local player and Liverpool are competing for the Premier League and Champions League every season, what more do you want? So there will be a frustration from Liverpool supporters if Trent does move.”

Alexander-Arnold is not among the nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, which is expected to be presented to Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior in Paris on Monday night. But he could make himself a contender in 2025 if he plays a role in Liverpool winning the Champions League and Premier League. As far as his future is concerned beyond this season, January could see him enter formal negotiations with Real Madrid or other suitors over a pre-contract agreement if he still hasn’t reached a deal with Liverpool.

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