Jamie Carragher has expressed concern that Trent Alexander-Arnold might leave Liverpool, with the 26-year-old’s contract set to expire at the end of the season amid links to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid, under Carlo Ancelotti, have reportedly made Alexander-Arnold their primary target in a four-man shortlist for a new right-back after Dani Carvajal sustained a significant knee injury earlier this month.
Other names on Madrid’s radar include Tottenham’s Pedro Porro, Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, and Sevilla’s Juanlu.
However, Alexander-Arnold appears to be their top choice.
Carragher believes the England international may have hinted at his potential departure from Liverpool after recently revealing that he would prioritise winning the Ballon d’Or over the Champions League or the World Cup.
This comment, made before Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal, has fuelled speculation over his future at Anfield.
Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports: “I don’t care, he can try to win the Ballon d’Or, nothing wrong with ambition but my first thought when I read that was ’you’re not gonna win the Ballon d’Or as a right back for Liverpool.
“Ballon d’Or winners normally play for Real Madrid or Barcelona.
“The vast majority, the players in the world go.
“If that’s his ultimate ambition – I think he was asked about winning the World Cup, Champions League or Ballon d’Or – and he chose the Ballon d’Or – which I think was a bit strange or bizarre because I’d always pick World Cup or Champions League, it’s a team game.
“But yeah, he’s got massive ambition and why not? You only get one career, he is a unique full-back, he is absolutely amazing.
“He gets Liverpool back into the game today with the pass but the first thing that came to me when I read that interview was that makes me think he’s going to Real Madrid.
“I actually think Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah will stay, I do believe that.
“The longer it goes on with Trent, the more I do feel he will move on.”
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