Trent ALEXANDER-ARNOLD: 2024/25

Kirkby 2024/25
382

Trent could’ve had Real or leaving in general for such a club in his mind as a possibility (or why would you even 100% exclude that, looking so far ahead?) ages ago.

Real could’ve had a player like him on their list ages ago. Even more so if their situation at RB and in defence in general was such that it would be a place of focus soon.

There could’ve been some sort of communication between two camps without breaking any rules. Nobody can prevent people from talking at any point in the year. Everyone does it, happens all the time. If people think proper talks start on July 1st, they’re deluded.

Just the other day, Thommo was talking about how we were bringing Cisse (meeting him in Paris) to Liverpool much before it was done (unfortunately, because I think Rafa wouldn’t have approved it if it had been his decision, but that’s for another story). It was a relatively open secret in the context of that time. I don’t think Auxerre could moan about anything. Journalists find out stuff, what can you do. And that wasn’t a free deal like Trent’s. Of course it’s almost impossible for this deal to remain silent.

My first “clue” or the first bit of “look at this” feeling with Trent was when he only signed a 4-year deal on his last signature.

He left the door a bit open to decide what he would do when his career comes to a point where the next 4-5 years of a lot of players’ peaks (26-30ish, not a rule though). Is it still and possibly Liverpool forever then, or maybe time for something new.

Then we have our terrible 22/23 season, things changing behind the scenes, lots of people in the directive layer (who would lead such negotiations) leaving, then Klopp, etc.

He ended that 22/23 on a high note, playing some of his best football. Then had that pre-season in which he said he put big focus on his physicality.

It maybe also has to do with him willing to experience something new altogether, not only Real, but Spain. Everything which I can understand. He also wants to win more and yes, Real have won more important trophies in last years than us. Great players, improved stadium, etc.

I just hope that this doesn’t spoil our last games together, we win this title together, celebrate it the way it should be celebrated and wish each other the best of luck at the end.

It’s the only right way to do it.

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383

If i have any criticism of him, it would be from the perspective of leaving on a free and not giving his hometown club a chance to make any money off the transfer.

Even Mbappe gave PSG a chance to recoup some money…

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384

How can it be tapping up when he has seen the contract out he and the club signed.

385

If they have had been having discussions with him for almost two years, and that isn’t tapping up…what exactly is tapping up?

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386

To me, RM are getting a ‘Spice Boys’ vibe about them… Ancelotti is off to the Brazilian national team at the end of the season… and without him at RM, not sure whoever comes in to manage them… will blend the array of talents in the same successful way… Maybe not in Spain, but RM might come apart at the seams when playing in Europe.
TTA… while as good a player as he is… to RM, he is a cash cow that they move on in a couple of seasons if he fails to produce…
They can recoup every penny they outlay in wages and signing fees etc… when they sell him… Not very often an asset like that becomes available… If tapping up rumours are true, no wonder they have been sweet talking him

387

Well with this window confirmed let’s ask for 20m from Real.

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388

I mentioned that they had ‘supposedly’ been talking to him or representatives 2 years ago.

389

Officially from what I have heard said before is that clubs before talking to a player or representative you have to have permission of the club, so if they had been talking to him as long as 2 years ago, then is it tapping up.

Yes we know it goes on but RM are the worst for unsettling players and I would love to see them get their comeuppance.

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390

Well then it’s the clubs fault entirely for not tying him down to a new contract while everyone knew RM were ‘in his ears’. Maybe it’s just that TAA doesn’t/didn’t want to sign a new contract and wants to move on.

391

There aren’t many players this century who have given us as many great memories as Trent. Let’s just be thankful for those and let him do whatever he sees fit.
I fucking hate RM, and wish it was another club, but the list of clubs that are a step up from us is very short, and most of them are repulsive in one way or another, so we should be happy about that.

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392

“Take a run and jump”

Dave Gorman says hello.

393

It’s one.

The one that Trent is apparently joining.

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394

One indeed.
Unless you rule out their shithousery.
Then theres none.

395

Everyone can decide for themselves how many there are, also in different football eras (these last few years is Real’s time again, although domestically they might want more). Bigger or similarly big. There aren’t many, but there’s more than one for sure. Destinations of top players over decades show that.

396

I don’t think that right now any player would leave us for a PL rival. That hasn’t always been the case (Torres springs to mind).
Barcelona aren’t what they were, but they do seem to be on the up, and are always attractive to South American players. PSG can probably pay more than us, and you get the bonus of living in one of the greatest cities in the world (I realise not everyone thinks so, but it’s still a widespread belief) and playing in an easy league with guaranteed silverware. Same goes for Munich (not the great city part).
They’re all bastards, of course, but our players don’t always see things the way we do. Otherwise they’d all play for free and never leave.

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397

I think transfers across the premier league are becoming harder to do now in general because of the money that all clubs in the league have.

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398

When you then force a move out mid contact.

399

But he saw his contract out. Its not tapping up saying when its up we will sign you. What Barcelona did with the bad back was tapping up, us with Virgil was tapping up this isn’t.

400

If the contact and “offer” was made before the contract expired, without the permission of the owning club, and prior to any legal period in which players are free to talk to other clubs, then of course it is tapping up.

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401

But if it wasn’t its not and nobody has any clue.