Trent Alexander-Arnold, the grass is not always greener - I should know after my Liverpool exit
Liverpool great Ian Rush has urged Trent Alexander-Arnold to think twice about leaving Anfield, referencing his own experience of moving away to Juventus. The former striker returned to Liverpool just a year after exiting in 1987 after a tough time in Turin.
Alexander-Arnold is one of three key stars set to see their Reds deal expire next summer. Each has spoken out about their contract situation, including Alexander-Arnold, who is being linked with Real Madrid.
Speaking back in September, the defender outlined his ambitions to be club captain but stayed coy about what may lie ahead. "I want to be a Liverpool player this season (as a minimum) is what I will say," he said.
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Rush, another club hero, returned to Liverpool after a season away due to feeling “homesick”, as he revealed to the Guardian in 2005. He stressed that he didn’t regret the move given how much he learnt about himself but conceded Juventus were “the right club at the wrong time”.
And now, Rush has drawn on that experience while sharing his thoughts on the future of Alexander-Arnold, as well as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. “Sometimes the grass is not always greener on the other side,” Rush told SportsBoom.com.
“That’s what you’ve got to look at, Liverpool are such a magnificent club. I left Liverpool to go to Juventus but was very lucky to get the chance to come back. I was very privileged.”
Van Dijk has confirmed he is in contract talks while Salah has revealed his frustration at not being formally offered a new deal as negotiations between agent Ramy Abbas and Liverpool continue. Alexander-Arnold has meanwhile stayed tight-lipped on his situation.
“None of those [previous contract renewals] have been played out in public. And this one won’t be either,” he said earlier this season.
Rush added: “Let’s see what happens, but at the end of the day all players leave or retire at some stage. But for me I don’t think any of them want to leave Liverpool.
“Liverpool is such a big club, a special club with such special supporters. I enjoy watching all of those players.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but the three of them have been fantastic for Liverpool. Once the players buy into the club it’s so hard to leave. It’s such a magnificent club.”
