Exclusive: Liverpool Should Have Fought Harder to Keep Trent Alexander-Arnold, says Club Legend

Liverpool legend Alan Kennedy believes the club should have done more to keep Trent Alexander-Arnold.

England international defender Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid in a high-profile move in May 2025 after 20 years at his boyhood club.

But he left Anfield on a free transfer after last season’s Premier League champions let his contract run down.

And double European Cup winner Kennedy wishes the Merseyside outfit would have done more to keep the 34-cap international.

“I do think the club should have tried a little bit harder to keep him (Alexander-Arnold),” stressed Kennedy, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com. 

“I understand that if you have a replacement, who is a little bit different, then fair enough, but I don’t think there is anybody better than him in that position."

“However, I do understand where the club are coming from and I understand you have to let players go sometimes if their mind is set."

“If he was playing for Liverpool he might be thinking about Real Madrid, which is not a good situation to be in."

“So it’s better to let big players like that go and let them start a new era in their life.”

LOYAL SERVICE

Alexander-Arnold started with Liverpool as a junior in 2004 and then made his Premier League debut for the club in the 2016-17 season.

He went on to play 354 games for the club across nine seasons in the top-flight, famously winning the Premier League twice, the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield during a distinguished spell at the club.

Despite his loyal service, the 26-year-old was booed by some Liverpool supporters last season after it was announced he would leave for a move to Spain.

“At the end of the day he’s been a great servant to the club,” added Kennedy.

“He’s been a junior, he’s been a senior and he’s been everything."

“You can’t ask for more than that. He has given most of his career to Liverpool Football Club, so he deserves to be commended for that.”

Kennedy watched with admiration last season as the Reds dazzled to win the Premier League crown.

He was particularly impressed with how new boss Arne Slot fitted in seamlessly to take the club to a new level following former manager Jurgen Klopp’s departure.

ILLUSTRIOUS FOOTSTEPS

German coach Klopp won a raft of titles and trophies at Anfield, with Dutchman Slot tasked with filling his illustrious footsteps.

But the Premier League title in his first season proved Slot was more than up to the task.

“I’m not going to say they’re [Slot and Klopp] similar types of managers, but they don’t like tinkering too much,” observed Kennedy.

“They don’t like changing the team too much. You saw that with Jurgen, he wanted to keep his regular 4-3-3 formation."

“And I like the way Arne Slot has looked at the team and thought: he might be better playing a little bit deeper, or that player might be better in a slightly different position."

“I’m not saying he tinkers with the team, but he does ways of playing which I do like."

“I think the players enjoy playing for him.”