Liverpool star's comment hints what Trent Alexander-Arnold's team-mates really think
Trent Alexander-Arnold scored Liverpool's winner just five minutes after returning from injury and Ryan Gravenberch has revealed what his team-mates really think of him
While some Liverpool fans have tried to dull the pain of losing Trent Alexander-Arnold by saying the team doesn't need him, Ryan Gravenberch admits he is key.
Alexander-Arnold took just five minutes after his introduction following nearly six weeks out with an ankle injury to fire home Liverpool's winner at Leicester. It was his 23rd goal for Liverpool and his first with his left foot to put Arne Slot 's Reds just three points away from a record-equalling 20th title. Gravenberch says the England star is vital for Liverpool and he has four goals and seven assists, despite enduring three separate injury lay-offs this season.
'I'm really happy for him,' he said. 'He was injured and he came back. You saw how important he can be for us.'
Alexander-Arnold, 26, is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer in a move which was decided months ago.
As hurt as some Liverpool fans are to see their home-grown hero and lifelong Red go, he is following a path well worn down the years by the likes of Kevin Keegan, Graeme Souness, Steve McManaman and Georginio Wijnaldum. All four went abroad and Alexander-Arnold wants to win La Ligas and Champion Leagues with Real.
Maybe he sees a move to Real hurting Liverpool less and he will not be competing with his boyhood club domestically. Certainly, Gravenberch's comments show the Liverpool dressing room understands every player must do what they feel is right for them, even if it hurts the club.
Alexander-Arnold loves Liverpool and that was clear in his goal celebration at Leicester, which was a real cathartic moment. He has been hurt by the accusations that his heart has wandered from the Reds.
He was pained by the abuse he suffered in the draw against Manchester United at Anfield in early January after it emerged Real had failed with a cheeky £20million bid for him. Alexander-Arnold enjoyed his moment at Leicester and he will enjoy hoisting that Premier League trophy aloft on May 25 after Liverpool's final game.
He will then leave for Madrid having been a key figure during one of Liverpool's most-gloried spells, having won one Champions League, two Premier Leagues, one FA Cup, one League Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup. Maybe he will come back in three or four years and who knows what the future holds?
Alexander-Arnold's focus will be on wrapping up his second title and Liverpool want that moment to come on Sunday against Tottenham at Anfield. They will become champions if Arsenal lose at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday and Gravenberch says they would prefer to breast the finishing tape in front of their home crowd against Spurs.
'We need one more win, of course, and hopefully we can finish it in our home,' he said. 'We're really looking forward to that.'
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