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Trent Alexander-Arnold has faced criticism as he prepares to join Real Madrid on a free transfer(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Jamie Carragher has defended Trent Alexander-Arnold as he prepares to finalise a free transfer to Real Madrid.

But the Liverpool icon admits he is disappointed that the England star has decided to leave Anfield instead of pursuing more major honours with his boyhood club.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, has grown into an integral figure for the Reds after making his debut under Jurgen Klopp and has been influential this season as Liverpool - now managed by Arne Slot - close in on the Premier League title.



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Real Madrid are long-term admirers of Alexander-Arnold, who has been free to speak with overseas clubs since January after entering the final six months of his deal, and it emerged earlier this week that an agreement to take the player to Spain is all but done.

That development has sparked anger among fans, some of whom have gone on to question Alexander-Arnold with others criticising the club.

Carragher, however, says he is not angry with either party over the decision - even if he is disappointed with Alexander-Arnold's decision to quit his boyhood club.

READ MORE:How the 5 players who left Liverpool for Real Madrid fared amid Trent Alexander-Arnold moveREAD MORE:Liverpool face fourth transfer headache as Premier League rival eyes £30m deal

Speaking on the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast, Carragher says: “It seems like there’s not one thing people are unhappy with – it’s leaving on a free or that he should have come out and told the club earlier – people are angry for three or four different things.

“I’m not angry about him going on a free.

Also, when you’re a local player you don’t cost anything – Trent going on a free is like Virgil van Dijk leaving for £75m, we’d still break even.

Jamie Carragher is disappointed, rather than angry, with Alexander-Arnold's decision(Image: The Overlap)

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“Where I’m at is that, as a local player and a Liverpool fan, Liverpool are in a position where they’re competing for the league and a European Cup every year.

So, if you’re a Liverpool fan and a local player, I’m just disappointed that he doesn’t think that this is it.

In some ways, Real Madrid is a rival, and no one will catch them – they are the biggest and most famous team- but I’m desperate for Liverpool to get second on that list – AC Milan are on 7 [European titles].

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“If I was him, I’d be thinking that we’ve got a great opportunity to win the league this year and could do this and that and at the end of his time, put Liverpool in a position [to top others].”

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