Trent Alexander-Arnold is a Liverpool legend who ought to be applauded for Real Madrid transfer

If Trent Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool this summer he still should be considered a club legend.

It is understandable that some fans are feeling let down as it looks likely the local boy is packing his bags for Madrid. This is not an article to tell them how they should feel, either. That’s up to them.

Although some of the posts on social media just show what a toxic place that is. A lot of fickle people on there, it seems. No surprise really. But Alexander-Arnold is 26, he’s going to win a second Premier League title and he’s won a European Cup for the team he grew up supporting.

That’s dream stuff but it is fine for people to want something different, too. He’s lived one dream, now he wants to live another. Real are a huge club, arguably the biggest in the world. They start every season with the aim of winning the European Cup. Anything less is a disappointment.

Alexander-Arnold is taking a huge risk going there. The easier decision is to stay and continue to help Liverpool win trophies. It’s certainly not a bad option but he obviously wants to take on a different challenge, it is a mighty one as well.

Because he does get backing for being a local Liverpool player. In Madrid, he won’t have that comfort. It is also a chance for a man in his mid 20s to go and experience a different culture and prove himself in a different country.

That should be applauded really. But look, nobody is expecting Liverpool fans to be happy about it. It looks like they’re going to lose a talented player. They should be hurting but it shouldn’t be made personal.

Let’s hope all the social media stuff is just people being overly emotional and it doesn’t spill into Anfield when he’s back fit and playing. Alexander-Arnold stood on the bins to watch his heroes train at Melwood from the other side of the wall. Then he went on to become a hero for millions.

He helped end their 30-year wait for a league title and won a sixth European Cup as well as a couple of Carabao Cups and an FA Cup. It may seem a strange time to walk away with the Reds still on top, especially when other club legends stayed when the club were far from challenging.

But it shouldn’t turn nasty towards Alexander-Arnold and his time in a red shirt should be remembered very fondly if it does come to an end this summer.