Club legend admits he understands Real Madrid’s pull
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has said he would not have left the club for Real Madrid like Trent Alexander-Arnold did.
Alexander-Arnold left his boyhood club this summer and joined Real Madrid on a free transfer, after deciding not to renew his contract.
The move divided opinion among supporters, with some criticising the 27-year-old for walking away, and others even booing him in one of his final appearances for the club at Anfield.
Gerrard said he understood why the right-back made the decision, even if it’s one he wouldn’t have taken himself.
“It’s Real Madrid,” said Gerrard. “So without my Liverpool hat on, Real Madrid and Barcelona, whether you like it or not, if you’re a United fan, Liverpool fan, they’re two humongous clubs.
“And when they come, it’s going to turn your head. No matter who you are, it’s going to turn your head. Or you’re not. You’re not human. They’re going to turn your head.”
“So I can understand it from being in Trent’s shoes. I can understand it. I get it. His best mate plays there. Maybe he wants to challenge himself. He’s won everything at Liverpool. So there’s a part of me that really understands it.”
“But as soon as I put my Liverpool hat back on, I think, ‘what are you doing? What are you doing?’
“You’re arguably one of the best teams in Europe. You’re winning things that I sit here now and still dream of winning. You’re winning European Cups.
“You’re one of the main men. The fans adore you. What are you doing? But this is with my Liverpool hat on, because I love Liverpool football club.”
Gerrard also defended Alexander-Arnold from some of the extreme backlash he received from some supporters, but he admitted that criticism comes naturally with the job.
“We play a game with millions and millions of people that are paying good money or they’re all on social,” said Liverpool’s former captain. “You’re going to get a bit of stick.
“They’re the same people that were watching Trent’s goals on the phone or spending three grand to go to Dortmund to see Trent score a free kick.
“They’re the same people that adore him, that are spending 90 quid on a shirt. You’ve got to accept it. Get on with it. It is what it is. That is constructive opinions in football. You have to get on with it.”
