Dave Hendrick Reacts to Trent’s Liverpool Departure on Daily Red Podcast | OneFootball

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Exit: Applause, Anger and Anfield Aftermath

Legacy Questioned Amid Sudden Exit

Liverpool are Premier League champions again — a moment of jubilation. Yet, as the red confetti settles, a cloud has drifted over the fanbase: the announcement that Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave the club at season’s end. The news came not with fireworks, but a strangely timed press release. “The timing is really odd,” remarked Dave Hendrick on the Daily Red Podcast. “Why you would do it now with three games left is just very strange.”

Though many sensed this coming, the way it’s unfolded has sparked debate, especially among supporters who once idolised the right-back. “It’s not right to call him a rat… or a traitor,” Hendrick clarified, but acknowledged “this tarnishes his legacy with the club.”

Criticism of Winter, Comparison to Legends

What’s made matters worse for some is the external commentary. Hendrick called out national journalist Henry Winter’s defence of Trent, in particular his comparison to Kevin Keegan. “That’s chalk and cheese, Henry,” he said, dismissing the attempt as an irrelevant stretch. “Keegan told the club he wanted to go… we got a British record transfer fee for it.”

Photo: IMAGO

The host went further, drawing more apt comparisons to Steve McManaman and Michael Owen. “McManaman had been let down by the club over and over again,” Hendrick explained. “Owen told the club, ‘Look I want to go, sell me or I’m going to leave for free.’” In contrast, Hendrick accused Trent of knowingly running his contract down without affording Liverpool the chance to benefit financially.

Real Madrid Move: Inevitable or Insulting?

With Real Madrid the expected destination, Hendrick minced no words about the process: “Trent has known, I believe, for at least two years that he was leaving… he was going to wait, see out his contract and leave.” He added, “He says it’s the hardest decision of his life. I’m sure it was — when he made it two years ago.”

Even the framing of the move was criticised. “This whole stick of ‘I didn’t want it playing out in public’… What do you think happened?” Hendrick asked. “They tried to torpedo our title charge and then you signed for them.” The notion of Real Madrid being a “childhood dream” was ridiculed too: “There’s an interview where he very clearly makes it known that Liverpool were his dream club… and if not Liverpool, Barcelona — not Real Madrid.”

Applause or Booing? Fan Dilemma Ahead

Though emotions are raw, Hendrick called for nuance in how fans react. “I hope he’s not booed at Anfield on the final day… but boo every touch in between. And be real petty.” He predicted a five or six-year contract with Madrid and added: “I wish him success… I always wanted McManaman to succeed… but I don’t have to like the way he’s gone about it.”

It’s a bittersweet exit — one of Liverpool’s own choosing a path that leaves the club empty-handed. As Hendrick put it bluntly: “He chose to take a different route… that doesn’t completely stiff the club that gave you everything.”