Former Liverpool defender Jason McAteer believes Trent Alexander-Arnold will accept a move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.

The fullback is out of contract in June and there is no indication that he will sign an extension. Speaking to Gambling Zone, McAteer says he can’t see Alexander-Arnold committing his future to the Reds like club legend Steven Gerrard did:

“I don’t think you’ll see a Steven Gerrard again. I don’t really think it goes on anymore There’s so much more to football now, you know, off-the-field contracts, lucrative deals elsewhere. Real Madrid changes the whole landscape for Trent as a person and as a sportsman. It opens his world up to different opportunities.”

“It’s Real Madrid, it’s Spain, another language, another culture. He’s won everything at Liverpool. It’s not like he’ll look back at his career and wish he stayed back to win the league. Steven Gerrard did that. Steven’s objective in his sports career was to win the league at Liverpool. He almost did it, but it fell away at the end.”

“Maybe if Liverpool had not won the league under Klopp, it might entice Trent to want to stay. I just think the chips are stacked against Trent staying at Liverpool right now.”

Gerrard turned down some big moves away from Liverpool

Before eventually leaving Anfield for LA Galaxy in 2015, the club icon is said to have rejected more than one opportunity to join Chelsea.

However, if Gerrard had taken up the offer to move down South, he would not be regarded as the legend he is now. It is something that Alexander-Arnold will have to think about too.

Real have not made a concerted effort to sign Alexander-Arnold yet

Although the Spanish giants are known to be interested in the 26-year-old, they have yet to make contact with his agent.

If Alexander-Arnold does reach the final six months of his contract, though, Real will be able to speak directly to the player. That could happen in a matter of weeks.

Find out who is in Liverpool’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here