Alexander-Arnold, the 26-year-old English international, has come under fire following a lackluster performance in Liverpool's 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Anfield. The right-back, whose defensive duties were exposed during the match, was criticized for gifting the ball in the build-up to United's first goal and for allowing the visitors to thrive in his area of the pitch. Roy Keane, reflecting on the match, stated that Alexander-Arnold might be better suited to a club like Tranmere Rovers rather than a giant like Real Madrid, despite the links to the La Liga club.
The criticism of Alexander-Arnold has intensified amid reports that the player is distracted by interest from Real Madrid. With his contract nearing its end at Liverpool, speculation about a move has increased, and the player’s performance against Manchester United only fueled those concerns. As the January transfer window approaches, questions loom about whether Alexander-Arnold’s focus has been affected by the possibility of a move to Madrid.
Gary Neville, a Manchester United legend, discussed the timing of Real Madrid’s interest in Alexander-Arnold, noting that the speculation could be affecting the player's performance. "If you have that kind of distraction before an important match, it’s not going to be easy," Neville said. He also highlighted the challenges of playing for Liverpool, a club of immense stature, and suggested that the possibility of a move could have caused anxiety for Alexander-Arnold. "You can imagine the noise from his family and agents, asking 'what’s going on?' That wouldn't have helped his focus," Neville added.
Meanwhile, Neville’s fellow pundit and former Liverpool icon, Jamie Carragher, shared his thoughts on the Real Madrid links, suggesting that Alexander-Arnold’s representatives may have invited the Spanish club’s interest to gain leverage. "We’re not naive enough to think that Real Madrid would bid for a player in January, knowing they could sign him for free in four months," Carragher remarked. He implied that the reported bids were likely part of a strategy to either secure a transfer or pressure Liverpool into offering a better contract.
As the transfer window approaches, the situation surrounding Alexander-Arnold remains unclear. The speculation surrounding a possible move to Real Madrid has only intensified following the criticisms of his recent performance, adding to the pressure on the Liverpool star. With his contract nearing its end, it remains to be seen whether Alexander-Arnold will stay at Liverpool or seek a fresh challenge at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
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