Liverpool legends united in admitting club has keenly felt Alexander-Arnold's absence

Trent Alexander-Arnold has yet to establish himself as indispensable at Real Madrid, but the consensus among Liverpool legends is clear: his departure in 2025 left a gap at Anfield that has not been filled.

The 26-year-old right-back ended his boyhood club career to join Los Blancos on a free transfer, signing off with a Premier League title in his final season. His exit sparked frustration among a section of Liverpool supporters, and that frustration has since been echoed by some of the club’s most respected former players.

Jamie Carragher drew a direct line between Alexander-Arnold’s departure and Liverpool’s decision to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116 million in 2025. Writing in The Telegraph in October 2025, Carragher argued the Germany international was acquired specifically to replicate what Alexander-Arnold provided from a deeper position — even if the two players occupy very different roles.

“It sounds odd to say it, but Wirtz was signed to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold — a No 10 to provide the passing range and creativity of a unique full-back,” Carragher wrote. “He is yet to add what Liverpool are missing without Alexander-Arnold, while at the same time the team has lost the intensity which made them so difficult to play against.”

Carragher has remained unconvinced that Wirtz will ultimately justify his fee, and suggested the 22-year-old deserves to be dropped following Liverpool’s recent defeat to Manchester City.

Andy Robertson, who spent years as Alexander-Arnold’s partner on the opposite flank before leaving Anfield himself, was similarly candid about the void left behind. “I think obviously we’ve missed him as a player, there’s no doubt about that. We’ve missed him as a character as well,” Robertson said on The Overlap, while also acknowledging his former teammate’s courage in pursuing a new challenge abroad.

Alexander-Arnold helped redefine the modern full-back role during his time at Liverpool, with his range of passing making him a creative fulcrum from deep. He was central to Jurgen Klopp’s most successful era, contributing to the Champions League triumph in 2019 and the club’s first league title in 30 years in 2020.

At Real Madrid, however, the 28-year-old has struggled for consistency, battling injuries and starting just four of nine La Liga matches under Jose Mourinho. The Spanish club are preparing to face Roma in the Champions League, with Alexander-Arnold’s place in the side still far from guaranteed.