And so it is that Trent Alexander-Arnold has decided to pitch a tent in Madrid and swap the humble fields of Anfield Road for the swanky state-of-the-art Santiago Bernabeu.
By deciding to become the latest star to follow in the footsteps of the past and present galaxy of superstar galacticos, Alexander-Arnold has sparked a frenzy of nasty name-calling by Liverpool supporters angry that he is leaving.
In their red mist, they’ve renamed him Traitor for joining the club of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, David Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Thibaut Courtois and Jude Bellingham.
It is foolish to begrudge someone for “taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally”. Especially someone who, as a kid in a pram, watched Gerard Houllier’s Class of 2000-01 parade a League Cup, FA Cup and Europa League trophies.
Especially not someone who contributed in a Jürgen Klopp-inspired Premier League, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup three-trophy haul in 2019-20.
Especially not someone who narrowly missed out on helping Liverpool to a true treble in this campaign, as they won the Carabao Cup and Premier League but lost in the FA Cup final in Arne Slot’s transition season.
Especially not someone who played a starring role when Liverpool secured a sixth Uefa Champions League crown, when his quick thinking saw Divock Origi belt the winner for the Reds staged in the greatest comeback in the history of European football to overturn the 3-0 deficit against Barcelona.
European nights under Anfield lights
As a ball boy, Alexander-Arnold witnessed Steven Gerrard galvanise the Reds to many a glorious victory on special European nights under the Anfield lights.
As an academy product who made his senior debut at 16, he became a beacon of hope to the other graduates that they too could realise their dreams in Red.
And when Trent feels that after 20 years of sterling service to his boyhood club and nine trophies later, it is time to trek elsewhere, let him be.
Am I trembling with trepidation that there will be a Trent-shaped hole on the Liverpool right-back position?. Hell no. The boys have a strong bond but the brotherhood between them and their soon to be former vice-captain will not be broken, and will exist long after his exit.
Liverpool has survived a long list of premature departures. Alexander-Arnold was not born when Steve McManaman left Liverpool for Madrid. Michael Owen to Real; Fernando Torres to Chelsea; Javier Mascherano, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona; Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich; and now Alexander-Arnold. There’s no need to react angrily against his choice.
Defensive frailties
When Madrid knocks on the door, the whole house shakes, his friend Bellingham famously said when he explained why he chose the club over a host of suitors clamouring for his signature.
It is for Alexander-Arnold to find out whether the fickle Madrid fans will be as forgiving to him when he suffers defensive frailties.
It is for him to ascertain whether Antonio Rudiger will be able to cover for him as Ibrahim Konate did when the opposition identifies his flank as a potential freeway.
It is for him to discover whether whoever Real el supremo Fiorentino Perez appoints to succeed Carlo Ancelotti will slot in like Arne Slot.
It is a journey of discovery he has chosen.
When tales are told of the league title triumphs of Klopp and Slot, the history pages will reflect that the boy —whose picture, with arms folded, is festooned in a mural on the wall of a city building with the words “I am just a boy with a dream” inscribed next to it — played a big part in engraving his name into the history of the storied club of Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Kenny Dalglish.
When Alexander-Arnold fired a left-footed finish, a late winner for a 1-0 victory against Leicester City to propel Liverpool to three points away from clinching their second EPL title in five years — and celebrated with his shirt hanging on the corner flag in front of Liverpool supporters — it was his adios amigos.
X - @bbkunplugged99
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.