Stan Collymore has called on Liverpool fans to “move on” from Trent Alexander-Arnold as the recently departed right-back earned a fresh wave of criticism this week.
Alexander-Arnold was paraded as a Real Madrid signing on Thursday. During his unveiling, the 26-year-old spoke impressive Spanish, leading to suggestions that he has been preparing his move for several years.
Some also see the decision to take just “Trent” on the back of his Real shirt as a sign of the marketing and commercial factors guiding his choices, which has been spearheaded by the Real move. The player himself claimed it was due to the confusion of his double-barreled name in Spain.
Meanwhile, referencing ex-Manchester United stars David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo as part of the inspiration behind his transfer to Real also hasn’t sat well with Liverpool fans. It resulted in more online criticism from a still-wounded fanbase.
But Collymore has said supporters should let bygones be bygones. Writing in his latest Caught Offside column, Collymore claimed: “Liverpool and their fans need to move on quickly from this Trent Alexander-Arnold situation – and I think that most have already done so.
“Liverpool are not a club to cry over spilled milk, so it is simply a case of forgetting and looking ahead. The move to Real Madrid is an excellent one for Trent, given that they are arguably the world’s biggest club.
“As a sportsman, you want to play for the world’s best and compete for trophies on a regular occasion, and he will certainly do that in Madrid. And I think that this move was the only possible step up that he could have made from Liverpool.”
MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 12: Trent Alexander-Arnold, new player of Real Madrid posing in his presentation at Valdebebas training ground on June 12, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Antonio Villalba/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
Alexander-Arnold infuriated Liverpool fans again this week. (Image: Getty Images)
Collymore’s comments will likely irritate Liverpool fans, with many voicing their displeasure at former professionals claiming they should be more understanding of Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave his boyhood club.
But Collymore, who departed the side he supported as a child (Aston Villa) during his playing days, feels Alexander-Arnold is right to put his career first.
“The fact that he has embraced the move quickly by learning Spain well enough to speak it fluently at his press conference is excellent,” wrote the 54-year-old.
“It sends a message to Real Madrid’s hierarchy, his new teammates and the club’s supporters that he is there for the long haul, and I would not be surprised to see him end his time there with a similar CV to Gareth Bale – and considering his efforts at Liverpool, it would make him one of the most successful British players to have played football.”