Jamie Carragher has suggested that Trent Alexander-Arnold, despite his importance to Liverpool, will not receive the same treatment from fans as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk when it comes to the ongoing contract discussions at the club.
All three stars—Alexander-Arnold, Salah, and Van Dijk—are currently under contract until the summer of 2025, with negotiations over new deals yet to progress. However, while Salah and Van Dijk were signed from outside the club, Alexander-Arnold is a local product, born and raised in West Derby, Liverpool. This key difference, according to Carragher, will affect how the player is viewed if his contract situation becomes contentious.
Carragher pointed out that unlike Salah, whose reported weekly wage is between £350,000 and £400,000, and Van Dijk, who also commands a significant salary, Alexander-Arnold’s earnings are likely much lower. Additionally, Alexander-Arnold was developed through the Liverpool youth system, meaning the financial investment in him was minimal, especially when compared to the £40 million Liverpool paid for Salah.
Local Hero vs. Big Money Signings
Carragher explained that while Salah and Van Dijk are seen as major international stars with hefty price tags, Alexander-Arnold, despite his immense talent, may not receive the same level of sympathy from fans if contract issues arise.
“There’s no doubt for me that Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah will be treated differently than Trent Alexander-Arnold,” Carragher said on the Stick to Football podcast. “Trent is probably on half the money of Salah, and he cost nothing, but there is no banner in the Kop saying, ‘give Trent his dough’, and there never will be one.”
This comment followed the display of a banner at Anfield last month calling for Liverpool’s owners to extend Salah’s lucrative deal, reflecting the affection fans have for the Egyptian star.
A History of Local Players Leaving
Carragher also drew comparisons to previous instances when local players left Liverpool, citing the departures of Michael Owen and Steve McManaman to Real Madrid. Both players were highly regarded but were seen differently due to their local roots.
“When you’re a local player, you’re almost seen as if you should be grateful to play for the club,” Carragher explained. “This is your club—who do you think you are almost type of thing.”
With rumors circulating that Real Madrid is eyeing Alexander-Arnold for a potential free transfer next summer, Carragher predicts that the defender will not receive the same fan backing as Salah or Van Dijk in the face of such speculation.
“The Trent thing will start kicking off,” Carragher concluded. “I can assure you it won’t be fans saying, ‘give him what he wants,’ it will be, ‘who does he think he is?’”
As the contract situation for these key players continues to unfold, it’s clear that the dynamics around Alexander-Arnold’s future may differ from those of his more established teammates.
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