Liverpool legend expresses disappointment over Alexander-Arnold's Madrid move

Alexander-Arnold, 26, has become a key player for Liverpool since making his debut under Jurgen Klopp and has been instrumental this season as the club, now managed by Arne Slot, closes in on the Premier League title.

However, after entering the final six months of his contract, he has been in talks with various overseas clubs, with Real Madrid emerging as the front-runners to secure his services.

The news of the defender's imminent move to Madrid has triggered frustration among some Liverpool fans, with critics questioning the player's decision and others directing their anger at the club.

Carragher, however, says that he is not angry with either Alexander-Arnold or Liverpool. Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, he explained: "It seems like there's not one thing people are unhappy with – it's leaving on a free or that he should have come out and told the club earlier – people are angry for three or four different things."

"I'm not angry about him going on a free," he continued. "In an ideal world, Liverpool would get £70m or £80m for him to reinvest, but you can't have it both ways as a supporter. If Liverpool sign someone on a free in the summer, we'd all be delighted, so does that mean that his former club should absolutely hate him? Also, when you're a local player, you don't cost anything – Trent going on a free is like Virgil van Dijk leaving for £75m, we'd still break even."

Carragher also expressed disappointment that the right-back, as a local player and Liverpool fan, has chosen to leave the club, despite the club's ongoing pursuit of major honours.

"What I'm disappointed about is that he doesn't think that this is it," he said. "I'm putting myself in his position, where I'd be thinking that we could go level with Manchester United in league trophies, I've got another seven or eight years at Liverpool and want to get three or four ahead of them, with a couple more European Cups."

The Liverpool legend highlighted the rivalry between the Reds and Real Madrid, noting: "In some ways, Real Madrid is a rival, and no one will catch them – they are the biggest and most famous team- but I'm desperate for Liverpool to get second on that list – AC Milan are on 7 [European titles]."

Carragher concluded by saying that, if he were in Alexander-Arnold's shoes, he would be motivated by the opportunity to further Liverpool's legacy: "If I was him, I'd be thinking that we've got a great opportunity to win the league this year and could do this and that and at the end of his time, put Liverpool in a position [to top others]."