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Topics: Steven Gerrard, Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid, Champions League
Ryan Smart
Topics: Steven Gerrard, Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid, Champions League
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has already made his feelings clear on Trent Alexander-Arnold reportedly agreeing to sign for Real Madrid.
It was reported by talkSPORT on Tuesday that Alexander-Arnold plans to end his association with Liverpool, which dates back to when he was six years old, this summer.
The right-back's contract at Anfield expires in June and he is already free to discuss a pre-contract with European clubs.
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Alexander-Arnold now looks set to replace Daniel Carvajal, who is still out with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, as Real's first-choice right-back.
A majority of Liverpool fans have acted furiously at the news, especially given that he is set to depart Anfield on a free transfer.
He was born in Liverpool and grew up in the city.
The move draws parallels to Reds legend Steven Gerrard, who once claimed that he was approached to sign for Real Madrid.
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Gerrard was born in the Merseyside borough of Knowsley and spent 17 years as a professional player at Liverpool, only leaving to join Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy for his final year before retirement.
Gerrard famously rejected a contract offer from Chelsea in 2004, and said he rejected Real's advances too.
The offer from Chelsea was made when Jose Mourinho had recently taken charge at Stamford Bridge, and he was also Real boss at the time of their approach in 2010, shortly after his appointment.
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In a 2014 interview, Gerrard explained: "It is very flattering to be linked to a huge club like Real Madrid.
"I've had a couple of options throughout my career to go to Real Madrid, but I resisted temptation because of the big connection I have to my hometown club.
"It may be something I regret down the line, for not challenging myself and having a change of scenery in a different country. But I would have had an even bigger regret if I'd left the club I love.
"I'm a big fan of Real Madrid. They are a special club. But Liverpool is my No.1 club."
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Gerrard was not the only Premier League star of his era to turn down a move to Real Madrid.
In an episode of The Overlap earlier this year, Manchester United legend Roy Keane stated that Real wanted to sign him after he left United in 2005, on what would have been a one-and-a-half year deal.
But he decided to join Celtic instead.
"When I left United, I went up to Celtic," Keane began. "But I could have gone to Real Madrid for a year and a half. They offered me a year and a half.
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"Celtic was, again, a kind of emotional [decision]... which is fine, I didn't mind making those sorts of decisions.
"I was thinking, I was 34, could I go to Real Madrid and make an impact?"