- Trent Alexander-Arnold will join Real Madrid after two decades at Liverpool
- WWE star Sheamus weighed in on protracted saga surrounding the departure
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Was Cole Palmer right to leave Man City?
WWE legend Sheamus has weighed in on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s acrimonious departure from Liverpool ahead of his move to Real Madrid.
Following months of speculation surrounding his future, Alexander-Arnold announced last week that he would leave Liverpool this summer after two decades at his boyhood club.
The move sees the 26-year-old depart Anfield on a free transfer following a title-winning campaign in Arne Slot’s maiden season in the Premier League.
The move has divided opinion among the Anfield faithful, with the defender subjected to a frosty reception by supporters after being introduced as a second-half substitute during the club’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.
Longtime Reds superfan Sheamus revealed he would not have booed Alexander-Arnold but insisted that he could understand the frustration of supporters following the protracted saga.
‘The way that it was dragged out I feel that’s why people are a little bit upset about it,’ he told Mail Sport ahead of WWE’s return to the UK and Ireland this August.
WWE star Sheamus revealed he understands Liverpool fans’ frustration surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impending exit
The 26-year-old announced last week that he would depart the club on a free transfer this summer to join Real Madrid
‘I wouldn’t ever boo a player in a Liverpool jersey, even Jamie Carragher [laughs].
‘I don’t think that’s right, you’re still playing for the club you’re still wearing the crest.
‘If you don’t wanna play for the club, that’s fine, just move on. That will open a spot up for someone else like a Conor Bradley.
‘[Trent leaving] gives an opportunity for someone who does want to play for the club and who is passionate about the club and and who wants to come in and give his all for the crest. I’d much rather a situation where if he doesn’t want to play, he goes.
‘I wouldn’t want a guy who’s one foot in and one foot out the door and then signed a contract at the club begrudgingly, because then down the road it’s going to cause problems.
‘So if there’s any doubt in his mind that he wants to be at Anfield, at Liverpool football club, just go.’
The move sees Alexander-Arnold joining the likes of fellow Liverpool academy graduates Steve McManaman and Michael Owen in swapping Anfield for the Bernabeu.
However, Sheamus warned that the restless nature of Real Madrid supporters bred by the club’s history of big-name Galactico signings could make for a difficult transition for the England international when he arrives in the Spanish capital.
Alexander-Arnold was booed by the Anfield faithful after coming on as a substitute in the club’s draw with Arsenal
The long-time Liverpool fan added that Alexander-Arnold may struggle to live up to the lofty expectations surrounding his arrival in the Spanish capital
‘Best of luck to him I hope he does well,’ he continued.
‘I’m not going to wish anybody ill will. I hope he succeeds. I just think sometimes you think that the grass is greener on the other side, but I don’t think the grass is that green over there.
‘Especially the Madrid fans, they’re very finicky, they are like, “What’s next? Who’s the next person?”
‘If you don’t want to be at the club, just go. We’ll find someone else. We’ll find someone better.’
WWE returns to the U.K. & Ireland this August, tickets available here: https://www.wwe.com/events
