Didi Hamann urges Liverpool to "come out and explain the situation" around Trent Alexander-Arnold and the ongoing talk of a free transfer to Real Madrid
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool (R) celebrates with Andrew Robertson of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on September 21, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, modern-day Liverpool legends, both have had question marks over the futures(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Didi Hamann has urged Liverpool to "come out and explain the situation" around Trent Alexander-Arnold and the ongoing talk of a free transfer to Real Madrid at the end of the season. It was widely reported last week that Madrid had stepped up their efforts to bring Alexander-Arnold to the Spanish capital as a free agent once his contract at Anfield expires.
And while there has been no confirmation from either club or the player's camp at this stage, it looks increasingly likely Alexander-Arnold will be making the switch later this year.
Hamann, who won the 2005 Champions League with the Reds before finishing his career with the club as an FA Cup winner 12 months later, thinks it is an issue that needs further clarity from Liverpool themselves at this stage.
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And the former Germany international thinks Alexander-Arnold will be a perfect fit at Santiago Bernabeu if he completes a transfer in June.
"If Trent Alexander-Arnold is going to leave Liverpool, I don’t know why he and the club haven’t come out to explain the situation," Hamann told PokerScout. "I'd be very surprised if he hadn't made his mind up by now.
"I think that because he could get another injury which rules him out for the season and that will impact contract talks with both Liverpool and Real Madrid.
"I don’t think there is any reason to keep his plans a secret, he looks the most likely to go and you might only get a chance to join Real Madrid once in your career so I don’t think you can blame him.
"Real Madrid like to have the ball and I think Trent Alexander-Arnold fits into any team. Lots has been made of his defensive deficiencies but his passing range is incredible and that would suit their forwards perfectly.
"He gives you so much going forward so you just have to put up with his defending and Real Madrid are probably the perfect team for that."
Liverpool have also been linked with a number of left-backs ahead of the summer transfer window, with Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez the player most regularly named in connection with a move to Anfield. Hamann, though, thinks Andy Robertson is still operating at a high level and shouldn't be discarded too easily.
Hamann added: "Andy Roberson has been the best left-back now for the last six or seven years in the Premier League, he’s 31 now but you don’t sit so far clear at the top of the table with a bad left-back.
"I still think he's doing a very good job. He was a bit unfortunate at the start of the season where he was at fault for one or two goals and got sent off, but I think he's come back very well.
"He's a player you can always rely on, he has said himself that Liverpool have been linked to every left-back in Europe over the last 18 months which shows his sense of humour and his awareness of what it means to play for Liverpool.
"I wouldn't have a problem if Liverpool went into next season with Robertson starting. I still think he's one of the best left-backs out there and we shouldn't forget how high he's pushed the bar over the last six or seven seasons because I think he's been the best left-back and he's still up there."