Having partied as champions for most of the past week, Liverpool supporters were delivered some disappointing news on Bank Holiday Monday.
It has been a brilliant time for Reds fans after seeing their team crowned as Premier League champions.
But on Monday, they were brought back to reality with the news that Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave at the end of the season.
Although it had long been expected that Alexander-Arnold would depart, the official announcement was still a blow to Liverpool supporters.
With the right-back set to join Real Madrid, the majority of fans are feeling let down and even angry at the Liverpool academy graduate’s decision.
As the reaction continues to tumble in from around the football world, Reds supporters have been keen to hear the reaction of Jamie Carragher. And the Liverpool legend has not disappointed.
Jamie Carragher reacts to Trent Alexander-Arnold departure
Carragher is never one to shy away from giving his opinion on big matters in the world of football.
As one of the most capped Liverpool players of all time, his views on the Reds are well worth listening to, even if people don’t necessarily always agree.
This time, Carragher’s reaction has come via an article in The Telegraph, and although it’s generally a balanced piece, the 47-year-old does predict a hostile reception for Alexander-Arnold if he ever returns to face Liverpool at Anfield.
“I love seeing a Liverpool-born lad doing so well he will play for Real Madrid,” Carragher admits. “Part of me thinks “well done” but the competitive element in me also thinks swapping Liverpool red for Real Madrid white means he has chosen to become a rival.”
“It means the next time he is at Anfield he will receive the same treatment as Luis Suarez when he returned to Merseyside in a Barcelona shirt.
“With Monday’s statement, the unconditional support Alexander-Arnold enjoyed from the Kop when he was fully committed to Liverpool has gone.”
What else did Carragher say?
With so many journalists, pundits and rival fans coming out to tell Liverpool fans how they should feel about Alexander-Arnold leaving, it’s nice to hear Carragher come out on the side of Reds supporters here.
“Real are one of only two clubs to have won more European Cups than Liverpool, so when a top-class academy player makes this kind of a move, there is a simmering resentment from the local fanbase that they are trying to separate themselves from ‘their own’, or think there is something bigger or better out there for them,” says the former centre-back.
“You can call that unfair, naive or even deluded all you like. In trying to explain how it is, people jump on me and tell me it is wrong to think that way, and Alexander-Arnold should be wished well on his new adventure.
“Liverpool fans are being told their reaction to Alexander-Arnold leaving is emotional more than sensible. My response to that is who is really the naive and deluded one when analysing how fans feel about such transfers?”
Having spent his whole career at Anfield Carragher is well placed to give his view on the Alexander-Arnold saga. And, as ever, we think he’s got it spot on.
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