'I have a warning for Trent' - Alexander-Arnold sent explosive message by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher as Real Madrid speculation continues

Alexander-Arnold can begin negotiations with Real Madrid from January 1, if he chooses, as the clock ticks down on his Liverpool deal. While he's shown little interest in committing his future to the Anfield club, the right-back has received a warning about the downsides of leaving the Reds.

Carragher believes Alexander-Arnold will tarnish his reputation on Merseyside by leaving the club, having seen similar happen to Steve McManaman and Michael Owen. Both former Reds players made the move to the Bernabeu, with Owen having revealed he even now avoids trips to Anfield because he "doesn't feel welcome".

"The big question that faces Trent Alexander-Arnold now is how much he values his legacy as a Liverpool great, and how he wants to be remembered in the many years that follow the short career of a professional footballer," Carragher wrote in his column for the Telegraph.

"I was in the team in 1999 when Macca ran down his contract and left for Real on a free transfer. Indeed, he was introduced as a Real player in Madrid in March 1999 and then played the rest of the season for Liverpool. Macca won two Champions Leagues at Real, having never played in the competition with Liverpool before then. He will have been one of the best-paid players of his era. When he comes back to Anfield now as a fan or a pundit, he does not get the love from the Liverpool fans that is shown towards our team-mate Robbie Fowler. That might be the emotion and the irrationality of Liverpool fans, but it is all worth considering for Trent.

"The Liverpool team that Trent plays in is very different to the Liverpool of 1999. The club has beaten Real this season and, as things stand, have every chance of winning the Champions League for the second time in Trent’s career. He may yet win more Premier League titles, and captain the team itself. Were he to do so I would have no hesitation in putting him in the all-time top 10 of Liverpool players – and what could be more important for a local lad who has always supported the team?"

Carragher cited Owen as further evidence of the situation Alexander-Arnold may one day find himself in should he sign for Los Blancos.

"On the other hand, he could go to Real on the kind of huge wages that free-agency players can command and win Champions League and La Liga titles there," the former centre-back added. "That too will sound pretty good for a footballer – but it is then what comes next. It is a long life after you finish playing. How people treat you in the city from which you come makes a big difference. And fans do not care that you made millions more. For them, that salary is irrelevant.

"On top of that, as a local lad, you are always treated differently. We saw it with Steven Gerrard. Even contemplating leaving for Chelsea on two occasions in his career temporarily damaged his relationship with Liverpool fans. Was it fair? It was simply the reality with a passionate, tribal fanbase.

"My team-mate Michael Owen had one year left on his contract when he joined Real from Liverpool in 2004. He too was in a struggling Liverpool team with a new manager coming in – Rafael Benítez – and a good deal of uncertainty. Again Real paid only £8 million for a footballer who was worth much more. Michael’s time at Manchester United later in his career would have done more damage to his legacy but still – the terms of his departure to Real did not help."

To his credit, Alexander-Arnold hasn't let the speculation affect his performances and he'll be in action when Arne Slot's Liverpool head to Tottenham on Sunday.