Steven Gerrard discussed Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid, appearing a little surprised by the 27-year-old full-back's decision. In between, he confessed that he always wished he had had a team as strong as Alexander-Arnold had. «I think I was a little in the middle. Steve McManaman made the right decision, because the Liverpool he played for was not competitive and it was a huge leap from that Liverpool to Real Madrid. So from a sporting point of view, it wasn't surprising. I think nine out of ten people would do the same jump", the former Reds legend began by saying. “Alexander-Arnold is a very different situation because he was playing in probably the best Liverpool team ever. I was winning English League titles and competing to win the Champions League. He had, in the palm of his hands, what I wanted my entire career.” Gerrard played 710 games and scored 186 goals and 156 assists for the Reds, winning trophies such as, for example, the iconic 2004/2005 Champions League final, in which the English team, after being 3-0 down at half-time, reached a draw and won in a penalty shoot-out. «When I look back, I wish I had achieved what he had in the palm of his hands. That's why I think Alexander-Arnold's decision must have been much more difficult than McManaman's. I was probably in the middle. We competed to win the domestic cups, we were always in the middle of the conversation, but Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea were much stronger than that Liverpool", he added. «Of course, it was very tempting for me to leave, I received offers that doubled my salary, but I always put things from a sporting perspective. I always thought about what was best to continue being one of the best midfielders in the English League and to maintain my place in the English team. That perspective was the one that was always in my head.” "Trent had in the palm of his hands, what I craved for all of my career"Steven Gerrard reflects on Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision to move to Real Madrid and how it compares to previous players leaving Liverpool 🗣️The full sit down is currently our YouTube channel 🪑 pic.twitter.com/XnmIia9T4t — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 9, 2026 This season, Arnold only made 11 appearances and one assist for Xabi Alonso's team.