It will be difficult for Trent Alexander-Arnold to return to Liverpool if he moves to Real Madrid.
This is what one fan said as he joined The Pitch Prospect to talk about the Reds defender and his contract, which expires at the end of the season.
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Real Madrid have made it clear that they are interested in Alexander-Arnold and from January the player can negotiate with foreign clubs with a view to joining on a free transfer six months later.
However, The Pitch Prospect understands reports from Spain that the 26-year-old has told Liverpool he wants to move to Madrid are premature.
Negotiations over a new contract at Anfield are still ongoing but Alexander-Arnold has been given a stern warning if he leaves the club in 2025.
Speaking on The Pitch Prospect Breakfast, passionate Liverpool fan Lee said the right-back would not be welcome at his boyhood club.
MORE ABOUT TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
“If he leaves, he will never be forgiven. He’s a Liverpool boy, he should have the privilege of playing for Liverpool Football Club.”
He added: “What I want to express is that Trent cannot come back after his football career is over and talk about winning everything with Liverpool because he will not be accepted.”
“Oof,” responded host Gabby Agbonlahor, but Lee explained, “Gabby, that’s how it is.”
“Look at Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world – it’s a pawn league, they win it or Barcelona.” [do]Atletico Madrid could win it once every ten years.
Agbonlahor then asked if it was hard for Alexander-Arnold to turn down a move to Madrid and Lee replied: “Gabby, if you’re born in Liverpool, you play for Liverpool.”
“That’s his dream, to play for Liverpool. One day he could be captain of Liverpool.” [Virgil] Van Dijk is leaving… I just think his football career is short and he will suffer a regression if he leaves.”
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Other Liverpool players – Steve McManaman and Michael Owen – have moved from Liverpool to Madrid, while Alexander-Arnold’s friend Jude Bellingham is currently there.
But Lee said he has no fondness for those former players.
Lee added: “I hate McManaman… I hate Michael Owen.” [he] went to Man United – I hate him. That’s how it is.
“You don’t often see Michael Owen on the field because you get booed, and that’s exactly what happened with Trent.”
“Every time he comes back to Anfield to talk about when he won the Premier League and the Champions League with him [Jurgen] Klopp. He will not be forgiven, and that is how it is.”
Agbonlahor, the former Aston Villa striker, then asked if his feelings matched those of the Anfield faithful.
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“[Steven] Gerrard wanted to leave [in 2005 after his transfer request and links to Chelsea]they burned his tops, remember that on Sky Sports?
“Then he changed his mind because he knew: ‘In five years I have to go back to Liverpool.’
“[Trent] If he leaves he will never be manager of Liverpool Football Club. All the fans are going to hate him and that’s the truth, Gabby.
Alexander-Arnold went through the Liverpool academy and made his first of 333 appearances in 2016.
With his youth club he won the Premier League and the Champions League as well as the FA Cup, two Carabao Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
The defender is one of three Liverpool stars currently set to leave the club next summer, with Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah also seeing their contracts expire in June.