Steven Gerrard hails Trent Alexander-Arnold as ‘Up There’ with two Manchester United Icons

Steven Gerrard has delivered a blunt and uncompromising message to Trent Alexander-Arnold, insisting he would by no means have left Liverpool in the identical method because the full-back and revealing that even he as soon as felt the magnetic pull of Actual Madrid throughout José Mourinho’s reign in Spain.

Alexander-Arnold’s summer season exit nonetheless resonates as one of the controversial strikes in latest Liverpool historical past. The proper-back rejected a brand new contract at Anfield, ending a two-decade affiliation together with his boyhood membership, and joined Actual Madrid on what amounted to a free switch. Liverpool finally obtained simply £10 million in compensation

It was a nominal sum for a participant who had turn into synonymous with the trendy Liverpool id. The previous Liverpool vice-captain’s summer season departure nonetheless stings as he was a participant many believed would sooner or later put on the armband on a everlasting foundation.

For Gerrard, the subject touches on loyalty, legacy, and the positive line between ambition and betrayal. Few figures in world soccer command extra authority on the topic than the Liverpool legend. He understands the lure of Europe’s elite golf equipment higher than most however he additionally is aware of what it means to remain and construct a legacy at Anfield.

“That is me talking with out my Liverpool hat on in the mean time. Actual Madrid got here for me with Mourinho, severe. And it turned my head,” Gerrard admitted on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

“It didn’t get as a lot traction and noise as Chelsea as a result of it was shut down fairly fast due to the timing of it and what Actual Madrid wished me to do to fabricate that. So it by no means bought the traction or the noise, however it turned my head. It turned my head, for certain. It’s Actual Madrid.”

Gerrard has been in Alexander-Arnold’s footwear. He understands the magnetic pull of the Bernabéu, the glamour of the Galácticos, and the sense that Europe’s largest phases provide the quickest path to particular person glory. However he additionally understands the duties that include carrying the Liverpool badge.

Any participant within the recreation when Barcelona and Actual Madrid come, it’s going to show your head. After they come, irrespective of who you’re, it’s going to show your head. Otherwise you’re not human,” Gerrard mentioned.

“I can perceive it from being in Trent’s footwear. I get it. His finest mate performs there. Possibly he desires to problem himself. He’s received every part at Liverpool. So there’s part of me that actually understands it.”

Liverpool supporters have endured painful exits earlier than Luis Suárez, Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling however few hits the fanbase with fairly the emotional weight of Alexander-Arnold’s transfer. This was not a fringe participant, nor a fading star. This was a neighborhood lad from West Derby who joined Liverpool’s Academy at six, rose by means of the ranks, and have become a talismanic determine below Jürgen Klopp.

The proper-back had received every part Liverpool may provide: Premier League glory, Champions League triumphs, FIFA Membership World Cup medals, and a spot within the England squad. He had even spoken brazenly about captaining the membership sooner or later, and his phrases about loyalty and successful at Anfield “that means extra” have been stitched into murals and chants throughout the town.

And but, in June, Alexander-Arnold allowed his contract to run out quietly and slipped away to Spain for a fraction of what he might need commanded only a few years earlier.

“As quickly as I put my Liverpool hat again on, I feel, what are you doing?” Gerrard mentioned.

“You’re arguably probably the greatest groups in Europe. You’re successful issues that I sit right here now and nonetheless dream of successful. You’re successful European Cups. You’re one of many essential males. The followers adore you. What are you doing?”

Gerrard’s phrases have been delivered with out malice — there’s a deep affection there. He has watched Alexander-Arnold develop from academy prospect to world-class playmaker, a footballer whose passing vary he locations alongside Beckham and Scholes. However there was additionally an unmistakable warning.

“To depart Liverpool Soccer Membership the place he was at, in his prime years, getting provided a brand new contract… he took a threat for my part,” Gerrard added.

“And I feel he’s dwelling that threat now. I hope it really works for him as a result of I really like the child. Love the child to bits. I wouldn’t have executed it.”

Gerrard’s personal profession provides perception into the dilemma confronted by Alexander-Arnold. In 2005, Chelsea made a £16 million bid for the Liverpool captain, simply months after the dramatic Istanbul remaining. Gerrard admits it “turned his head,” however he finally selected to stay at Anfield. The choice elevated him from hero to immortal in Liverpool folklore.

“It didn’t get the traction or the noise, however it turned my head. Actual Madrid, Barcelona they’re two humongous golf equipment,” Gerrard mentioned.

“However I stayed. And staying, that’s a part of what makes you a legend at a membership like Liverpool. I might have by no means left in the identical method Trent did.”

Regardless of this, Gerrard stresses that he can empathise with Alexander-Arnold’s resolution. He recognises the pull of ambition, the will to problem oneself, and the truth that the Spaniard’s transfer comes with the possibility to check himself at one of many world’s largest golf equipment.

“I can perceive it from being in Trent’s footwear. Possibly he desires to problem himself. He’s received every part at Liverpool. There’s part of me that actually understands it,” Gerrard mentioned.

“However with my Liverpool hat again on… it’s onerous. It’s very onerous.”

Many Liverpool followers have been left reeling by the transfer. Some even booed the defender when he got here off the bench within the remaining months of final season. Gerrard, nevertheless, makes a transparent distinction between constructive criticism and abuse.

“The subsequent individual that flirts with Actual Madrid or Barcelona or blah, blah, blah, they’re going to get a stick,” he mentioned.

“We play a recreation with tens of millions of individuals paying good cash… you’re going to get a little bit of stick. However the stick that goes above the road the abuse I don’t agree with. That’s only a load of b******s. It’s bought to cease.”

Followers, he added, have a proper to voice opinions, particularly after they make investments money and time to observe a participant’s progress.

“They’re the identical those that have been watching Trent’s targets on the telephone or spending three grand to go to Dortmund to see Trent rating a free kick,” Gerrard mentioned.

“They’re the identical those that adore him, which might be spending 90 quid on a shirt. You’ve bought to just accept it, get on with it. And he has. he has.”

Gerrard acknowledges Alexander-Arnold is taking a big gamble. Transferring from a membership the place he’s adored and integral, to a brand new nation, a brand new league, and the glare of one in all soccer’s most intense fanbases, is a leap into the unknown.

“I simply assume he took a giant threat on. He’s an especially good footballer, a really proficient footballer. Probably the greatest passers I’ve ever seen, and I’ve performed with some good passers,” Gerrard mentioned.

“He’s up there with them. He’s within the dialog with Beckham and Scholes, no drawback. However to go away Liverpool in his prime, when he was getting a brand new contract, he took a threat for my part. And I feel he’s dwelling that threat now. I hope it really works for him as a result of I really like the child. Love the child to bits. I wouldn’t have executed it.”

Alexander-Arnold’s debut season in Madrid has been removed from good. The defender picked up a hamstring damage in simply the eighth minute of his La Liga opener towards Actual Sociedad and isn’t anticipated to return till November. For all of the glamour of the Bernabéu, soccer’s largest stage brings new pressures, and Gerrard is aware of first-hand how gamers are judged after they depart the nest.

“He’s adequate to make it work. He’s adequate to make it work. I wouldn’t have executed it. However he’s bought the expertise, the mentality, and the flexibility. We’ll see if all of it comes collectively,” Gerrard concluded.

Ultimately, Alexander-Arnold’s story remains to be being written. The expertise is plain, the potential immense however whether or not this daring step will elevate him to the heights he desires of, or take a look at him in methods he has but to face, solely time will inform.