Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold is a boyhood supporter of his club but admitted one team are his ‘other favourite’.
Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool at the age of six and quickly rose through the club’s ranks to make his first-team debut in August 2015.
Since then, the England international has won almost every trophy on offer including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and Club World Cup.
The 26-year-old is yet to sign a contract extension at Anfield with his current deal set to expire next summer amid interest from Real Madrid and supporters are desperate to see their talisman extend his stay on Merseyside.
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Madrid’s interest is no surprise with the Champions League winners content to sit back and let world-class talent move to the Bernabeu on a free transfer, with Kylian Mbappe finally joining the club this summer from Paris Saint-Germain.
However, despite his strong friendship with Madrid star Jude Bellingham, Alexander-Arnold’s previous comments on his ‘other favourite’ club could dash their hopes of signing the Premier League star.
The right-back admitted he has always been a fan of Barcelona back in 2020 as well as admitting he followed Celtic as a youngster before Steven Gerrard took over as Rangers manager.
“I’d say my favourite other team would be Barca,” he told GQ.
“I feel as though they’ve got the same values and beliefs as Liverpool, they like to bring players through their academy.
“I grew up watching Messi in the special Barcelona team with Iniesta, Xavi, Henry and Eto’o. All those players are special.”
Alexander-Arnold was also asked a question which brings his current situation into sharper focus.
Firstly, he was asked whether he could see himself playing his entire career at Liverpool which he replied: “Yeah, I can imagine that.”
When pressed whether he fancied playing in a different league like Germany or Spain, Alexander-Arnold admitted at the time the thought had never crossed his mind.
He said: “It’s not something I’ve ever really thought about. I’ve always loved Liverpool. I’ve always supported them. I’ve always played for them.
“So, I’ve never had that reason to think about it. Yeah, still now, I wouldn’t sit there in my room and daydream about playing somewhere else.
“Right now, I’m a Liverpool player. I love the club more than anything. I love everything about it. I love the fans, the people. I love the city. So, no, why would I think about that?”
Alexander-Arnold has remained a key player under Arne Slot following Jurgen Klopp’s departure and isn’t the only one with an uncertain future as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk’s contracts also expire next summer.
The Liverpool-born defender has remained coy on his future amid the links to Madrid.
“I want to be a Liverpool player this season [as a minimum] is what I will say,” Alexander-Arnold said when asked if he wants to stay in the long term. “I have been at the club 20 years now, I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public and this one won’t be either.”
Topics: Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Premier League, Transfers
Marcus Banks