OPINION: The Valid Reasons Behind Liverpool Fans’ Anger Over Trent’s Departure

The commercialisation of football over the past half-century has resulted in an undeniable dependence on narratives within the sport. People crave clear-cut stories with distinct heroes and villains.

However, life exists in a complex range of greys, and the narrative surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s potential exit from Liverpool cannot be simplified to a binary notion. He describes himself as “a regular bloke from Liverpool, whose boyhood dream has come true.”

This sentiment reveals part of the dilemma.

Having joined Liverpool’s academy at a mere six years of age, Trent seized his opportunity following a lengthy injury to Nathaniel Clyne, and both he and the club have enjoyed a prosperous relationship since.

After securing nine major trophies, Trent now seeks a new challenge. While most would express gratitude and move on, Trent is a Scouser.

Delving into the wider context, the city of Liverpool and its inhabitants have faced numerous difficulties. From enduring outdated stereotypes about living conditions to being wrongly blamed following tragic events, Liverpool has been the target of scorn from some corners of Britain.

This environment fosters a strong ‘us against the world’ mentality, one that can be difficult for outsiders to grasp. “Forget us, we’ll take care of our own,” is a sentiment that resonates loudly within this proud community. It’s increasingly rare today to find a neighbourhood spirit akin to Liverpool’s, where traditional socialising at the pub has been supplanted by Netflix binges.

For clarity: I am not a Scouser, nor do I attempt to represent Liverpool’s voice. However, I’ve seen the tough exterior and welcoming warmth of Scousers up close. My fondness for this city has deepened over the years, and I feel a significant connection to Liverpool and its residents more than anywhere else I’ve called home.

Liverpool have nurtured a young Scouse talent who lived and breathed the club into an €80 million-rated star. With Trent’s contract nearing its conclusion, the club now faces the challenge of filling a substantial void without the usual financial influx from a transfer sale.

It’s crucial to note that the club also bears responsibility for the current predicament, having experienced upheaval in football management over the last five years. Those who have occupied the director-of-football role have been preoccupied with urgent matters, including finding a new defensive midfielder, replacing club legend Jürgen Klopp, and securing the contract of Mohamed Salah, the Premier League’s Golden Boot winner.

The situation concerning Trent lingered for too long, with various parties seemingly resigned to inaction instead of striving for a solution. Was this deliberate? Real Madrid’s strategy has been evident; they often entice players to join them as free agents with lucrative salaries and the promise of silverware. Kylian Mbappé’s eventual move to the Spanish giants is a testament to the effectiveness of this approach.

Inside sources suggest that Trent’s representatives received contract extension offers from Liverpool, but these were declined. It’s often stated that employees aren’t obliged to act beyond their contractual obligations, and in most cases, that holds true.

However, when one is a lifelong supporter of a club with a community that genuinely looks out for its own, circumstances change. If Trent truly is as passionate about Liverpool as he claims, he should ideally want the club to reinvest wisely to find a suitable successor. Achieving that would be challenging without a significant transfer fee.

One can look at the example of his (soon-to-be ex) teammate Alexis Mac Allister, who renegotiated his contract with Brighton to include a €42 million release clause just months prior to his move to Anfield. This agreement was reportedly viewed as a gentleman’s arrangement with the Seagulls to facilitate a transfer to Liverpool.

This scenario allowed the Reds to acquire a World Cup-winning player at a bargain price, while the player avoided unnecessary drama affecting the locker room, and Brighton benefitted by making four times what they initially invested. It’s not unreasonable to assume that a similar arrangement could have been negotiated between Liverpool and Real Madrid last summer.

No one was coercing Trent to sign a new contract, nor should they have been. Yet, had he chosen to accept, he might have forfeited the opportunity to play for Real Madrid and alongside his friend Jude Bellingham.

Trent was already nurtured in an environment conducive to his success. Aside from the weather and cultural aspects, Madrid has little more to offer Trent compared to Liverpool. Now, his potential exit creates an €80 million gap in the squad. While Conor Bradley has shown promise, he is not quite ready to step into a role valued at that price.

Many Scousers would not hold any resentment against Trent if his departure was managed to benefit both the club and the city.

Unfortunately, his actions could be seen as detrimental to a club he labelled a “rival” just last December—his departure only benefits Real Madrid.

Trent had the opportunity to become a figure as revered in Liverpool’s history as Steven Gerrard. Instead, despite his remarkable contributions, he may ultimately be remembered more like Steve McManaman.