Liverpool told Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer theory that could end Real Madrid 'interest'

The contract of Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold will expire next summer.
-Credit: (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)


Emmanuel Petit admits he would love Trent Alexander-Arnold to stay at Liverpool as contract uncertainty looms. The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder believes that the 26-year-old has the capabilities to succeed Virgil van Dijk as club captain moving forward.

The England international is heading towards the final six months of his current deal at Anfield and, from January, he can enter negotiations with clubs overseas over a pre-contract agreement. Alexander-Arnold scored his fourth goal for the Three Lions against Finland on Sunday evening - winning his 33rd cap in Helsinki.

This season, the Liverpool academy graduate has continued his fine form after facing scrutiny around whether he should be moved further forward into midfield, or remain at full-back - where he has established himself as one of the best in the world. Alexander-Arnold is among three players close to seeing their contracts expire, with Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah also set to be free agents in July if nothing changes.

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Real Madrid are claimed to hold an interest in the defender, with reports in Spain stoking the uncertainty. However, although the 54-year-old believes it is difficult to predict what Alexander-Arnold's next move would be, Petit insists that the Liverpool man could follow in the footsteps of greats such as Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

"It's difficult to predict where Trent Alexander-Arnold will be at the start of next season as we all know that Real Madrid have shown interest," he told BetBrain. "He's absolutely loved by Liverpool fans though and I think he can be the next captain of the club.

"Similar to how Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher only stayed at Liverpool throughout their whole career, I can see Trent doing the same. Modern football is difficult to predict though, and he will probably be tempted to go to Madrid if they made an offer to him next summer.

"I'd love him to stay at Liverpool though. I really like him, both as a human being and as a player.

"He's still only 26 and still a really young player. Maybe that can be an incentive for him to stay in Liverpool - if he becomes the next captain of the club in the next few years."