Steven Gerrard has admitted that while he understands Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to join Real Madrid, he personally would not have left Liverpool in the same way.
Alexander-Arnold ended his two-decade association with his boyhood club earlier this summer, sealing a move to Madrid after the Spanish giants agreed to pay €10 million upfront to bring him in before his contract expired. Real also covered his June wages to ensure he could feature in the Club World Cup.
The move angered some Liverpool supporters, who booed the England international when he appeared off the bench against Arsenal — the first match following confirmation of his departure.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Steven Gerrard said he could understand why Alexander-Arnold’s head may have been turned, recalling his own experience when Real Madrid, managed by José Mourinho, tried to lure him away during his playing days.
“If I take my Liverpool hat off, I think any player in the game, when Barcelona or Real Madrid come, it’s going to turn your head,” Gerrard admitted.
“Real Madrid came for me with Mourinho — serious. And it turned my head. So I can understand it from being in Trent’s shoes. He’s won everything at Liverpool, maybe he wanted a new challenge, and his best mate plays there. I get it.”
However, Steven Gerrard confessed that his emotional connection to Liverpool means he still struggles to fully accept the move.
“As soon as I put my Liverpool hat back on, I think, what are you doing? You’re at one of the best clubs in Europe. The fans adore you. What are you doing? But that’s because I love Liverpool Football Club. I wouldn’t have done it.”
The former Reds captain also urged Alexander-Arnold to accept criticism from supporters as part of modern football.
“You’re going to get stick — it’s part of the game. Constructive criticism from fans who pay money and buy your shirt is fair. The abuse, though, that’s not right. That has to stop.”
Despite his reservations, Steven Gerrard insisted that the right-back has the quality to succeed at Real Madrid.
“He’s one of the best passers I’ve ever seen — up there with Beckham and Scholes. He’s taken a risk, but he’s good enough to make it work. I hope it does, because I love the kid to bits. I wouldn’t have done it, but he’s good enough.”
