BREAKING NEWS: live from Anfield, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been given a serious warning by former Reds star Michael Owen about sealing a transfer to Real Madrid. He said, “I think I’m the best to advise Trent about sealing a move to real Madrid cause I did the same in 2004. Everyone wants to play for Madrid bit I will advise he stay at Liverpool, Madrid is toxic and will demand a lot from you. He should take hazard and mbappe as an example, how was life for hazard and how has life turned out for mbappe since his move to Madrid. If want to be the player he is or even better he should remain at Anfield. “Once you move…” – Ex-Liverpool star warns Trent Alexander-Arnold about Real Madrid transfer.
Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has received an intriguing piece of advice from former Reds star Michael Owen regarding a potential move to Real Madrid.
Owen, who famously left Liverpool for Real Madrid in the summer of 2004, reflected on how the transfer impacted his career and his attachment to his boyhood club. Speaking candidly, he admitted the move wasn’t easy and that playing for a club like Madrid didn’t carry the same sense of value and connection he experienced at Liverpool.
Alexander-Arnold, whose future has been the subject of speculation as he nears the end of his contract, might want to heed Owen’s insights. Reports from outlets like ABC suggest Real Madrid are strongly interested in making the England international their top target.
Should Alexander-Arnold Stay at Liverpool?
In an interview with The Athletic, Owen explained the emotional and professional shift that came with leaving Liverpool. He said, “Once you’ve moved once and you’re not in the place everyone assumes you’d stay forever, you almost become a tradable asset. I never grew up wanting to play for Real Madrid, but it’s an honour I did. I grew up wanting to play for Liverpool.”
Owen also highlighted the unique bond players develop with their boyhood clubs, adding, “Once you move, you lose that absolute attachment to your club and become a trading proposition. You lose the glue you once had, going from contract to contract, because you aren’t playing for the team you support. It means more when you’ve come through the ranks.”
Alexander-Arnold could consider the contrasting approach of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who remained loyal to the club throughout his prime years. Despite likely having opportunities to join other European giants, Gerrard played for Liverpool until his mid-30s, only leaving for a brief stint in the MLS before retiring. His decision solidified his status as a Liverpool icon, though it arguably came at the cost of a more decorated career, as Gerrard famously never won a Premier League title.
A Dilemma for Alexander-Arnold
Unlike Gerrard, Alexander-Arnold might weigh the trade-off differently. While remaining at Liverpool could see him cement his legacy as a club legend, a move to Real Madrid offers the chance to compete for more silverware, especially in a team consistently challenging for both domestic and European dominance.
Ultimately, the right-back faces a decision that could shape his career and legacy: follow in the footsteps of Gerrard and remain a one-club icon or seek new challenges abroad, potentially sacrificing the deep-rooted connection he’s built at Anfield.
