Gary Neville claims Alexander-Arnold will struggle at Real Madrid | OneFootball

Many Liverpool supporters have reacted negatively to the news that Trent Alexander-Arnold will join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer.

Some have called for him to be benched for the rest of the season, while others have suggested he has damaged his legacy at Anfield.

The move has sparked widespread debate over the right-back’s chances in Spain, with many people questioning his abilities.

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes the 25-year-old will find it tough to secure a regular spot ahead of Dani Carvajal.

Neville questions Alexander-Arnold’s role at Madrid

Neville has explained why he thinks Alexander-Arnold will struggle.

“I said that I thought he [Trent Alexander-Arnold] had to get more serious about his defending. I’ve said that constantly – or else it will cause him problems,” Neville told the Stick to Football podcast.

“I think it will cause him a problem at Real Madrid. They have Federico Valverde, who is playing right-back currently, and Dani Carvajal when he’s back.

“He’s going to have some serious competition.”

When asked if he thought Valverde and Carvajal were better than Alexander-Arnold, Neville responded: “I think Carvajal, from a balance of going forward and back.

“The problem is that he’s 33 and has had a bad injury. But Carvajal is a better full-back than Trent because of what he gives to the team.

“It’s unbelievable what Valverde is doing for them at the moment, so he’s going to have competition when he goes.

“Coming back to Trent, I said he needs to get more serious about his defending. That was proven by the fact he could not get in the England team for many years, and he gets subbed for Liverpool a lot.

“I’ve never known a right-back get subbed so many times in important periods of matches.”

Neville thinks Liverpool fans are right to feel aggrieved

Neville also spoke about how Liverpool fans feel about Alexander-Arnold’s possible departure.

“As a fan – he’s a local kid, and fans have a right to feel that way,” Neville added.

“I also think about it with my David Beckham cap on, thinking about what career he had when he went to Real Madrid and then Milan. He had the experiences that have led him to what he’s done since.

“He wouldn’t have had that if he stayed at United. Part of me thinks that since I’ve stopped playing football, I think differently about it.

“The experience of going to Real Madrid and playing there is incredible for him.”

Alexander-Arnold will now focus on finishing the season strongly with Liverpool before embarking on a new journey with Madrid.