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John Aldridge has questioned why Liverpool didn't tie Trent Alexander-Arnold down to a new contract two years ago.

Alexander-Arnold is almost certain to join Real Madrid on a free transfer when his current deal expires in June.

Multiple outlets claim the 26-year-old defender, who is Liverpool's vice captain and has been at the club for 21 years, has agreed a move to Spain.

Alexander-Arnold's impending exit is a bitter blow for Liverpool.

Writing in his column for the Liverpool ECHO, the ex-striker believes "it's certain" Alexander-Arnold is heading to the Spanish capital.

"I’ll be gutted to be fair if he goes, but it’s his life," wrote Aldridge, who's continued to support Liverpool since his exit.

That’s the way I see it."

Aldridge believes Alexander-Arnold's exit is different to his, as he "wasn't going to play basically" because of the presence of Sir Kenny Dalglish's first-choice strikers, Ian Rush and Peter Beardsley

Alexander-Arnold is undoubtedly Liverpool's primary right-back under Arne Slot, despite the emergence of the impressive Conor Bradley in recent seasons.

Aldridge believes Alexander-Arnold's impending exit is a "personal thing" that has little to do with money

Yet he won't be regarded as a Liverpool legend if he leaves on a free transfer to a major European rival