Liverpool news: Trent Alexander-Arnold could become Real Madrid’s ‘superstar’

Should Trent Alexander-Arnold join Real Madrid, he would emulate Steve McManaman, who also moved from Anfield to the Bernabeu on a free transfer in 1999.

“If he does choose to go to Real Madrid and he does choose to forge a new adventure with a new language and a new lifestyle, all credit to him,” McManaman told BBC Sport.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for him, if he does go, and no doubt he will be a superstar there as well.”

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and top scorer Mohamed Salah are also out of contract at the end of the season, but McManaman thinks a homegrown player like Alexander-Arnold leaving for free would be viewed differently by supporters.

“It’s unfair [to expect homegrown players to commit to one club for their entire career]. If Van Dijk or Salah leave, then it it is Liverpool’s fault. If Trent was to leave, then it is Trent’s fault,” he added.

While Conor Bradley has proven a reliable replacement when called upon in the past two seasons, McManaman believes Alexander-Arnold would leave a “considerable hole” at Liverpool.

“[Bradley is] a completely different player to Trent Alexander-Arnold,” he said.

“Trent’s numbers in an attacking sense are absolutely fantastic, but Liverpool fans and everybody will hope that Conor Bradley will be able to fill that void.

“You have a standard level and, every year, you try to improve and get better and better.

“We all hope that Conor Bradley achieves that and becomes the superstar that people are talking about when they talk about Trent Alexander-Arnold.”