According to reports, when Trent Alexander-Arnold lost as a child, he would rush up the stairs, lock himself in his room, and refuse to eat. Nothing satisfied him. Years have passed since those days in Liverpool, where the young midfielder became an Anfield legend. But Trent still gets upset over defeats—an ultra-competitive spirit that even frustrates his teammates in training.

The boy who grew up idolizing Steven Gerrard is now on the verge of becoming a Real Madrid player this summer. His official departure from Liverpool, after a lifetime at Merseyside, has made the move more certain—a free transfer that Madrid fans eagerly await to fill their right-back position, currently patched up by Lucas Vázquez or Federico Valverde due to Dani Carvajal’s injury.

In an emotional video released by Liverpool, Arnold confirmed his departure and announced his decision to start anew with the Bernabéu as his primary goal: “I will always be grateful to Liverpool. But I’ve never experienced anything else, and this decision is about embracing a new challenge, stepping out of my comfort zone, and growing professionally and personally. Every day I’ve been at this club, I’ve given everything, and I hope you feel I’ve given you everything.”

Was he always a bad loser?

Jordan Henderson asked this question to Ian Barrigan, Trent’s discoverer, in a BT Sports special: “Disaster! I now work at Liverpool’s academy, and I always look for kids who are bad losers. Kids who get angry and lose control—and honestly (pointing at Trent), I’ve never seen anyone like him!”

Trent is a “Scouser” (from the Liverpool accent and local slang), born and raised in the city. A child who grew up in the impoverished northern suburbs of England, where hatred for Margaret Thatcher over her political handling of the Hillsborough disaster was a duty. Every time he scored, this kid would shout: “Gerrard!” Like generations of Reds (Liverpool fans vs. Everton’s Blues), Trent idolized Steven Gerrard as his hero, symbol, and role model.

Ironically, coach and protégé found themselves in the same dilemma: staying at the club they loved, the club that shaped their childhood, or answering Real Madrid’s call.

Gerrard once said: “Maybe one day I’ll regret not going, but I’d regret leaving Liverpool more.” He twice said no to Florentino Pérez—no easy feat. Homesickness, the Galician “morriña” (a term with no Spanish equivalent but meaning nostalgia for home), prevailed. But Trent has taken that step and decided to leave.

This English player, who ended his career in Los Angeles but only played for Liverpool at the elite level, is one of the biggest “what ifs” in Bernabéu history, perhaps alongside Francesco Totti, another love story.

Criticism has been harsh. Roy Keane, former Manchester United captain and current analyst, said: “He’s played over 300 games for England, yet defends like he’s never been a right-back. If Trent goes to Real Madrid, I wish him luck. It’s like Madrid doesn’t know how to defend!”

While the Englishman would significantly improve Madrid’s attacking right-back performance, Dani Carvajal—if injuries permit—is far more reliable defensively.

Liverpool, with perfect timing after their title win, arranged a warm farewell. For fans, this departure is painful. He’s not just the second-longest-serving player (after Salah, among the club’s top 50 legends at 26) but also an academy symbol and the spirit of unity between club and city. Arnold says he’ll always remain a Reds fan.

In 2019, moments after winning the Champions League, the 20-year-old described himself: “Just a normal boy from Liverpool whose dreams came true.” And nowhere is better than the Santiago Bernabéu for European dreams.