Credit: Imago / Hasan Karim - Breaking Media

Harri Burton

Mon 5 May 2025 16:57, UK

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid has sparked controversial questions from Jamie Carragher over a similar Arsenal exit for Bukayo Saka.

Liverpool supporters have been left deeply upset by Alexander-Arnold‘s confirmed departure at the end of the season, leaving Anfield on a free transfer after 20 years with the Merseyside giants.

Some fans have even been spotted lighting the star’s jersey on fire following his announcement on social media, and arguments have started over whether the matchgoers have a right to be upset over the move.

While Liverpool wanted to keep Alexander-Arnold, it has emerged that an offer came months later than expected, with the attacking full-back now set to switch to life in Spain with Los Blancos.

Carragher has hit back at the criticism being aimed towards disgruntled supporters, using Saka and a move to the Bernabeu as an example to drive home his point about not bidding the star goodbye.

Liverpool fans vindicated as Bukayo Saka dragged into Alexander-Arnold argument

Writing for The Times (5 May), Carragher said: “Liverpool fans are being told their reaction to Alexander-Arnold leaving is emotional more than sensible.

“My response to that is, who is really the naive and deluded one when analysing how fans feel about such transfers? Would Manchester United have been happy to see Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes leave in their prime for Real Madrid?

“Would Chelsea have wished John Terry all the best had he followed Jose Mourinho to Spain for nothing? How would Arsenal fans feel if Bukayo Saka said he wants to fulfil a lifetime ambition to wear the white shirt in the Bernabeu?

“’Those lads would never do that,’ is the predictable response. But isn’t that the point? Players are loved even more when they genuinely mean it when they say they do not want to play for anyone else. If that image of the home-grown talent living the dream is an illusion, people feel let down.”

Bukayo Saka unlikely to follow in Alexander-Arnold’s footsteps at Arsenal

Football Insider verdict

While few fans ever expected Alexander-Arnold to depart Anfield, it seems hugely unlikely that Saka will follow suit and end up in Spain alongside his international teammate, or anywhere else for that matter, at least for now.

Of course, it is impossible to predict future transfers, whether Profit and Sustainability Rules play a part, but it seems clear that the 23-year-old is a Gunner at heart, and not keen on moving.

That could all change of course if the England forward were to pick up the same amount of silverware in North London as Alexander-Arnold has managed in Merseyside though.

Losing Saka this summer, albeit totally hypothetical, would be an incredible blow and would only mount more pressure on Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, who is feeling the heat when it comes to lifting silverware.

The Spaniard is in the process of building a project, one which continuously gets clos to winning the Premier League and is now competing at the highest level in Europe.

It would certainly be interesting to see more British players move into Europe, such as Conor Gallagher recently, joining the likes of Gareth Bale, Jude Bellingham, and even Gary Lineker.

The Gunners would be absolutely distraught to see their most talented player, one who came through the academy, leave on a free transfer, but the abuse being thrown at Alexander-Arnold is far from ideal.