Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool future remains unclear with his contract winding down but, after celebrating a league triumph win fans for the first time ever, Jamie Carragher hopes he may pen a new deal
Jamie Carragher hopes that Liverpool's title celebrations "might sway" Trent Alexander-Arnold to extend his contract at Anfield. The right-back is currently poised to leave in a matter of weeks when his deal runs out.
If so he would depart as a Premier League winner for the second time. The Reds clinched the title with four games to spare after hammering Tottenham on Sunday, which led to huge celebrations at Anfield in front of the Kop as players lapped up the moment with the fans.
Alexander-Arnold was present for their title triumph in 2020, but that was behind closed doors, and the scenes on Merseyside were particularly special. Real Madrid have been circling for Liverpool's academy graduate and saw a January bid rejected.
They hope to lure the right-back to the Spanish capital on a free with the offer of a lucrative contract. Carragher though hasn't given up hope that he will remain with his boyhood club, suggesting that the celebrations may convince Alexander-Arnold to remain.
Carragher told Sky Sports: "He's a unique footballer, that's why Real Madrid want to sign him and that's why he's been part of one of the most successful eras in Liverpool's history. We all want that to continue. but at the moment its not looking too good.
"But you look at the scenes at the weekend, Trent being involved ands being a local player, the adulation and the support the Kop have for him. You watch and hope that may sway him to put pen to paper but all will be revealed in the next few weeks."
Carragher has been hugely complimentary of the right-back for years. Whilst he's been criticised defensively, his output and ability in the final third has been lauded. Few players in his position can produce such brilliance and Liverpool have benefitted massively from his attributes.
Alexander-Arnold has won every available to him at Anfield and his motivation to stay will likely hinge on his desire to remain a one-club player. That said, his relationship with Jude Bellingham is well documented and the right-back has made it clear he wants to win the Ballon d'Or - which Carragher previously cited as a concern.
“He can try and win the Ballon d’Or, there’s nothing wrong with ambition,” he said. “But my first thought when I read that was ‘you’re not winning the Ballon d’Or as a right-back for Liverpool.’ Ballon d’Or winners normally play for Real Madrid or Barcelona. That’s where the best players in the world go."