Wayne Rooney: 'Trent Alexander-Arnold could now stay at Liverpool' in shock twist

Wayne Rooney isn't fully convinced that Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool career is over despite his move to Real Madrid looking set in stone.

Alexander-Arnold is in line to leave Anfield this summer after 21 years associated with the Reds; with his contract heading for expiry and Real Madrid swooping in to agree a deal in principle with the right-back.

Football Insider reported on 24 March that Alexander-Arnold is set to earn £12.5million per season at the Santiago Bernabeu as he prepares to sign a five-year deal, a £3.5m increase on his Liverpool salary.

While former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson also told Football Insider that Alexander-Arnold's pre-contract at Madrid is already signed and sealed, his move is yet to be officially confirmed by either club.

As a result, Alexander-Arnold remains a one-club player for the time being, and Rooney isn't convinced his exit from Liverpool is nailed-on despite the defender's reluctance to sign a new contract at Anfield.

Wayne Rooney predicts Alexander-Arnold U-turn at Liverpool

Alexander-Arnold's departure is already being prepared for by Liverpool, with Conor Bradley waiting in the wings to step in at right-back and Jeremie Frimpong also touted as a potential successor at Anfield.

However, writing in his column for BBC Sport (31 March), Rooney argued that although Alexander-Arnold looks certain to leave for Real Madrid this summer, there's still plenty of time for new developments.

"Just because there are talks over a transfer does not mean it will happen", Rooney said.

"It is well known that some [Manchester] United fans protested outside my house when they thought I was going to leave in 2010, but I'd agreed my new contract by then.

"Alexander-Arnold has not signed anything with Real [Madrid] yet and it would not surprise me if, even after all this speculation, he ends up staying at Anfield after all.

"A lot can happen before a contract is signed – as I know from experience."

Alexander-Arnold lifeline a long shot for Liverpool

Although it's unlikely that many Liverpool fans will take Rooney's opinion to heed – nor would they for any ex-Everton and Manchester United player – there is still a possibility that Alexander-Arnold stays put.

Liverpool fans haven't taken kindly to the prospect of Alexander-Arnold departing his boyhood club for nothing, and Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk also being out of contract isn't helping in that regard.

Former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Van Dijk could end up following Alexander-Arnold to Madrid, but at present, he looks more likely to stay than the right-back.

It remains to be seen which of the world-class trio will still be sporting Liverpool red next season, and despite Rooney still seeing a future for Alexander-Arnold at Anfield, few Reds fans will feel the same way.