Ex-Liverpool defender Glen Johnson thinks the Reds could have sold Trent Alexander-Arnold for £100m last summer if they had known he wanted to leave Anfield.

The 26-year-old is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer at the start of July. Speaking exclusively to Walk On (courtesy of Casino Apps), Johnson said he wasn’t disappointed by the player’s decision but he feels the club may be frustrated by how things have played out:

“No, I’m not upset, Like I said, players come and go, if he wants to leave, then, like, if I’m the manager, I don’t want anyone around that don’t want to be there so if, and I’m not saying he don’t want to be there, but obviously it’s an opportunity that he’s got that don’t, you know, might not come round again so no, I wouldn’t have any hard feelings.”

“Of course, I’d want him to stay. He’s a local lad, you know, but he’s won everything at the club. There’s not much more you can ask of him. I think if I was the manager or the owners, I’d just be like, well, ‘We should have bloody sold him last year for 100 million’.”

Real want to sign Alexander-Arnold before the Club World Cup

Reports suggest that the La Liga giants would like to bring in the fullback slightly earlier than July. Real’s participation in the Club World Cup starts on June 18th with their group stage fixture against Al-Hilal.

To play in that game, though, negotiations over an early release will be required. Liverpool would want some sort of compensation but it will, of course, not be anywhere close to the fee they could have demanded last year.

Will Liverpool buy a replacement?

Conor Bradley is expected to take Alexander-Arnold’s place in the starting eleven but there are concerns about his fitness record. The Northern Ireland international has suffered four different injuries this season alone.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong has been suggested as a potential target, with reports indicating that the Dutchman is keen on the switch to Merseyside. However, he would not be a great fit for Arne Slot’s system.

Alternatives, such as Flamengo’s Wesley and Juventus’s Andrea Cambiaso have also been mentioned as possible Trent replacements but there is no standout candidate at the moment.

Click here to see Liverpool’s first team squad for the 2024/25 season