star has been called out by after claiming he encouraged to submit a bid for him in January.

The Reds have to secure the services of the right-back in the January transfer window.

Alexander-Arnold will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with any foreign club from tomorrow (January 1) as his contract expires in June 2025.

But Madrid's audacious attempts to sign the England international six months early ended in failure, with the Merseyside outfit swiftly rejecting their attempts to negotiate a cut-price deal.

And Reds icon Carragher has taken a swipe at Alexander-Arnold and his representatives over the poor timing of the bid, which he believes was encouraged by the 26-year-old's camp.

Writing in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Carragher said: "The most important thing for @LFC in 2025 is winning the #PremierLeague. No one's contract or future should come in the way of that!

"I love Trent as a lad & a player, but his team would've told Real Madrid to bid & also would've known LFC would turn it down. It's to cover themselves when he leaves for free. Again it's something the club/fans don't need with a huge game coming up."

It looks increasingly likely that Alexander-Arnold will be leaving Anfield after nine seasons with the club, having made over 325 appearances in a red shirt.

The defender has turned down offers from the club to renew his contract, with reports suggesting he is harbouring for a move to Spain dismissed within the club and he has given no such indication to his current club.

The Guardian report that Liverpool 'executives' remain in contact with Alexander-Arnold and negotiations are 'ongoing'.

Alexander-Arnold may not be the only high-profile figure leaving Arne Slot's team next summer, with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk also out of contract in six months' time and yet to renew their respective deals.

Carragher, 46, was also critical of Salah's decision to address his future publicly, blasting the Egyptian's demands for a new contract as "selfish".

Salah hinted he was "probably more out than in" after their 3-2 win over Southampton, fuelling speculation that the current campaign will be the last of his eight-year stretch at the club - a move that left Carragher fuming.

"I must say, I am very disappointed with Mo Salah for that interview yesterday, last night, after the game, and it comes out today," he said, pointing to their fixtures against Manchester City and Real Madrid that same week.

He added: "The most important thing is Liverpool winning the Premier League. That is more important than any of those players. And if he continues to put comments out, or his agent keeps putting cryptic tweets out, that's selfish. That's thinking about themselves and not the football club."

It seems likely that Alexander-Arnold will continue to be available for selection for their clash with Manchester United on January 5 while his transfer saga rumbles on. He scored a stunning 25-yard piledriver in the 5-0 thrashing over West Ham only two days ago and remains a key part of Arne Slot's plans.