Steven Gerrard tells Trent Alexander-Arnold: I never would have left like you – and sends him warning over Real Madrid ‘risk’ after Liverpool exit

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard says he would have never departed the club in the fashion academy star Trent Alexander-Arnold did.

Local lad Alexander-Arnold turned down a new contract last season and ended up moving to Real Madrid for £10million, which caused many fans to turn on him.

And Gerrard, the former captain who played for his boyhood club until his mid-30s, has told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast that he would have not made the same move if he was in Alexander-Arnold’s shoes.

‘I wouldn’t have done it,’ said Gerrard, who has been out of work since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq in January. ‘I just think he took a big risk on. He’s an extremely good footballer, a very talented footballer. One of the best passers I’ve ever seen.

‘He’s in the conversation with (David) Beckham and (Paul) Scholes, no problem. But to leave Liverpool where he was in his prime years, getting offered a new contract, he took a risk on. He’s living that risk now. I hope it works for him because I love the kid. Love the kid to bits.

‘If I take my Liverpool hat off, I think any player in the game when Barcelona and Real Madrid come, it’s going to turn your head. This is me speaking without my Liverpool hat on at the moment. Real Madrid came for me with Jose Mourinho, seriously.

Steven Gerrard told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast he would not have departed the club in the same manner as Alexander-Arnold

Former Reds captain Gerrard played for his boyhood club until his mid-30s

‘And it turned my head. It didn’t get as much traction and noise as Chelsea because it was shut down pretty quick because of the timing of it and what Real Madrid wanted me to do to manufacture that. So it never got the traction or the noise, but it turned my head. 

‘Real Madrid and Barcelona, whether you like it or not, if you’re a Manchester United or fan, they’re two humongous clubs. And when they come, it’s going to turn your head. No matter who you are, it’s going to turn your head. Or you’re not human.

‘So I can understand it from being in Trent’s shoes. I can understand it. I get it. His best mate (Jude Bellingham) plays there. Maybe he wants to challenge himself. He’s won everything at Liverpool. So there’s a part of me that really understands it.

‘But as soon as I put my Liverpool hat back on… what are you doing? You’re arguably one of the best teams in Europe. You’re winning things that I sit here now and still dream of winning. You’re winning European Cups. You’re one of the main men.

‘The fans adore you. What are you doing? But this is with my Liverpool hat on, because I love Liverpool football club.’

Gerrard added that he understood the criticism Alexander-Arnold got for the move and doubled down that he could have become a legend if he stayed. When host Ferdinand asked whether Gerrard thought he deserved a statue for saying, he replied: ‘I don’t need a statue to feel the love off Liverpool.

‘There’s enough. There’s been enough. My respect for Liverpool has only gone stronger and thicker and more fonder since the day I retired. Liverpool have given me more love and care and respect since I’ve stopped playing for them.’