Michael Owen defends Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave Liverpool

Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool after 20 years at the club this summer

Michael Owen has leapt to the defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold following his decision to ditch boyhood club Liverpool, likely in favour of a move to Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, confirmed he will leave Anfield this summer upon the expiry of his current deal, putting an end to the contract saga that has surrounded the defender all season.

The Liverpudlian is expected to join compatriot Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid, something which has wreaked fury from Reds fans, branding him a traitor as he signs for the side who have dealt Liverpool so much heartache over the past decade.

He follows in the footsteps of fellow once-fan favourite Michael Owen, who opted to make the same switch 21 years ago.

Owen has now had his say Alexander-Arnold’s decision bid farewell to Liverpool, supporting the defender’s decision to seek pastures new.

Speaking to ITV Racing, he said: “Who can criticise him, really? There will be one or two people that will but he’s been there, seen it, done it, won absolutely everything the game has got to offer for Liverpool.

“If he wants to go and try something new for his family and for him, to do something different in this life, I’ve got no problem.

“It’s different and that’s the beauty of it. It’s a different country, different food, different weather, different language, different football. He’ll be playing in a white kit, not a red - there’s a lot of difference.

“It’s easy for me to say, I know half the fans will be screaming at the telly. But if I was a Liverpool fan I'd be saying: 'Thank you very much for all your service, you’ve been incredible, won everything. Good luck and we we wish you well!'

Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool at the end of the season (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

“But we’re talking football and football is different to anything else. If it’s football, you’re a traitor, which is quite sad because he’s done everything.”

Owen was electrifying on his day for Liverpool, scoring 158 goals in 297 games in an early-career stint that led him to the Ballon d’Or.

However, the former striker is rarely seen in the good books of Liverpool fans, having joined fierce rivals Manchester United later in his career - a move that burned bridges for many supporters.

Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, leaves the club after 20 years, having joined Liverpool’s academy as a six-year-old.

He has helped the Reds to every major prize there is on offer and departs the club off the back of their record-equalling 20th Premier League title.