Arnold told Real Madrid transfer will be 'good for him' by ex-Liverpool boss

Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has admitted Trent Alexander-Arnold would flourish at Real Madrid, as speculation linking him with the Bernabeu continues.

Alexander-Arnold is one of three key Liverpool stars - including Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah - whose contract expires at the end of the season and he looks no closer to agreeing new terms.

The 26-year-old, who has been with Liverpool since the age of six, has made a total of 342 appearances for the Reds, winning almost every trophy possible - including the Premier League and Champions League.

Now the England star may be set for a new chapter this summer and ex-Liverpool coach Benitez believes Alexander-Arnold would be a good fit for Madrid due to the attacking football they play under Carlo Ancelotti.

"Real Madrid is an attacking team, they are the best team in Spain and they will continue to be the best team in Spain," He told Sky Sports. "Even if Barcelona or Atletico Madrid are doing well, Real Madrid still has the potential, so they will always be there.

"For an attacking defender in an attacking team you have more chances to make assists and to create situations in attack, and that will be good for him as a player. He’s doing that in Liverpool so it’s not a surprise, but with Real Madrid you can guarantee he will do that for years."

Alexander-Arnold has registered two goals and seven assists in all competitions for Liverpool amid their bid to win the Premier League under Arne Slot this season and has consistently been one of the best attacking full-backs in world football in recent years.

Madrid, on the other hand, are in desperate need of a right-back after losing Dani Carvajal for the rest of the season and being forced to play Raul Asencio, Lucas Vasquez and Federico Valverde there out of position.

Benitez, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and coached Madrid for one season in 2015-16, said he was torn between his two allegiances to both clubs over Alexander-Arnold's future.

"If I as a Liverpool fan say he will stay it’s much better because he will give us something special. But if he goes, as a Real Madrid kid all my life, and also a fan in Spain, it will also be good for Real Madrid and for him."

It comes after Alexander-Arnold was criticised by club legend Martin Lawrenson, who told him to "be a man" and admit he was leaving rather than stay silent. He said: "This thing about not saying anything, I really really don't get it.

"Just stand up, be a man, and say, 'look, this has been absolutely fab and I've loved every single minute of it, I'm a local boy but I'm going to go somewhere else'. And you know what, good luck to you."