Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave Liverpool means he has rejected the chance to become a legend of the club and he will no longer be remembered fondly, Reds expert David Lynch has insisted.
The defender confirmed that he would be leaving Anfield upon the expiry of his contract in the summer in a video message to fans on Monday, but reactions to his statement have been mixed.
While some supporters have wished the 26-year-old well, others have criticised the manner of his exit from Merseyside, as leaving without receiving a transfer fee could put the club at a disadvantage ahead of a summer of transition.
Lynch argued that Alexander-Arnold will have to accept that his actions means he will no longer be seen as a legend at Anfield, telling Sports Mole: "He has to accept that. It's being discussed by people who are not close to it, who can't seemingly understand why there's a frustration or why he won't be a Liverpool legend.
"Even if you don't feel angry about it, surely people understand why he's not going to be classified as a legend now, because he did make a big play of being the Scouser in the team and this being his club, and then he decided to go elsewhere at a time where Liverpool are competing for honours and they're competing against Real Madrid.
"I totally get his argument. It is a new challenge - you can't win La Liga at Liverpool. You can't live in Spain at Liverpool. It's not happening, so [it's understandable that] you want to give that a go with your one career, but equally, he's a big boy. He acknowledges that there is a cost to every decision, and the cost of it is to taint his Liverpool legacy."
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk also had contracts expiring in the summer prior to their extensions, but while the duo consistently faced media questions about their futures, Alexander-Arnold shied away from live interviews despite his role as vice-captain.
Why Alexander-Arnold will become the next Owen
Michael Owen was held in high esteem when he broke through at Liverpool as a teenager in 1997, but his move to Real Madrid in 2004 soured his relationship with fans.
Steve McManaman was another Red to leave Anfield for Los Blancos, departing Merseyside when his contract expired in the summer of 1999.
Despite both playing exceptionally well in England for Liverpool, neither enjoy an entirely harmonious relationship with supporters, and Lynch argued that Alexander-Arnold will be thought of similarly, when he told Sports Mole: "Jack Grealish left Aston Villa with a load of money and they hate him to this day. He gets booed when he goes there. He set them up to get themselves in the Champions League and he's still disliked.
"Michael Owen left Liverpool for a fee, albeit a lesser fee, but he still left for a fee, but that didn't do him any favours in terms of how he was received after that, even prior to the Manchester United move. I don't know what the way to do this would be that would make people happy. I don't think that exists.
"He will be more of a McManaman and an Owen than a Steven Gerrard or a Jamie Carragher. That's just a fact. It does massively taint his legacy, but that's been clear to him in this decision-making process. He's close enough to it to understand and close enough to Liverpool fans to know that. He's weighed up the costs and benefits and decided that he still wanted to do it anyway."
Legendary former captain Gerrard had offers to leave Anfield throughout his career but opted to stay on Merseyside despite his team's inconsistencies, whereas Alexander-Arnold has been part of sides that have routinely challenged for major honours.
© Imago
Why Alexander-Arnold's move is still understandable
Though Liverpool fans have expressed their anger and disappointment at the defender's decision, it is important to remember that he still contributed significantly to the club's success.
It should also be noted that Real Madrid are arguably the biggest team in world football, and considering footballing careers are often short-lived, wanting to experience life in Spain at the Bernabeu is understandable to an extent.
Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch understood the reasons for Alexander-Arnold's desire to play for Los Blancos, saying: "You totally understand the reasons that he'd go. Some Liverpool fans obviously won't, they're fuming about it, but you totally understand from a career perspective, from a lifestyle, culture perspective - it's a fantastic move for him as an individual.
"But you don't get to have your cake and eat it, which is [the idea that] he can go to Real Madrid and still be this bona fide Liverpool legend. That is not how it works unfortunately for him. He has to accept that. But that's life, isn't it? You make these decisions and you live or die by them.
"He's made his call, and now the consequences are coming, which is that he won't be seen in the same way at Liverpool. He won't be received back at Anfield in the way that he might have hoped. But that's that's life. That's the call he made."
Liverpool have played Real Madrid six times since 2020-21 in the Champions League, and it would not be surprising if Alexander-Arnold faced the Reds at some point in next season's campaign.
Lewis Nolan
