Are Trent Alexander-Arnold substitutions a Real Madrid transfer hint? Liverpool legend wonders if free agent move to Spain has already been agreed

The England international is a product of the Reds’ famed academy system and a Merseyside native that has taken in over 300 appearances for his home-town club. The 25-year-old full-back is, however, into the final year of his contract.

An emotional farewell to Anfield has been speculated on, with La Liga giants Real reportedly ready to pounce ahead of Alexander-Arnold hitting free agency in 2025, and Reds legend Souness has told the Three Up Front podcast from William Hill: “Trent Alexander-Arnold is tailor-made for Real Madrid in terms of the way he plays, and he’s got an unbelievable delivery – not to mention he’s good friends with Jude Bellingham. He could end up at Madrid and that message may already have been relayed to Liverpool.

“I don’t see any obvious reason to take Trent off against Manchester United, other than if they know he’s leaving. They’d still want to keep him on side for the rest of the season and he’ll go for free at the end of it. The message that he’s made up his mind may already have been relayed to the higher-ups at the club. He’s running his contract down. If you’re going to leave Liverpool, where else other than Real Madrid can you really go to better yourself?”

Alexander-Arnold is not the only player running down their deal, with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah in a similar position. Souness could also see a commanding Dutch centre-half joining the 'Galacticos' at Santiago Bernabeu. The Scot added: “Liverpool can’t let all three of Trent, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk leave. I could see Trent at Real Madrid, I could see Van Dijk there as well. The point being that if you’re leaving Liverpool then the only place you’d really want to go is Madrid. Van Dijk might be getting older but he’s an athlete. You can still get a couple more good years out of him.

“He’s a better player than what Real already have in the likes of Antonio Rudiger. He’s more of a footballer, he’s a better athlete, better in the air and better on the ball. I wouldn’t even compare the two.”

Alexander-Arnold has been replaced by fellow right-back Conor Bradley in all three of Liverpool’s Premier League games this season. He looked less than impressed at finishing on the bench against Brentford, but made a point of celebrating with supporters and smiling for the cameras following a 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.