- Steve McManaman spoke in NYC to preview ESPN’s La Liga coverage
- Former England ace shares thoughts on Alexander-Arnold transfer
- Touts success for right back in Spain
NEW YORK — When Liverpool ace Steve McManaman left the Reds for Real Madrid in the summer of 1999, he was widely criticized by the Merseyside club’s fans. A member of Liverpool’s so-called Spice Boys, the Englishman became just the second footballer from his country to wear the kit of Los Blancos.
A midfielder by trade, “Macca” was among the best in the world at his peak, winning two Champions Leagues with Madrid and becoming a bona fide star in Spain – though not in England. His departure left a sour taste in Liverpool, where he was an academy graduate who rose through the ranks to make his professional debut and earn an England call-up. To make matters worse for supporters, he left on a free transfer, letting his contract expire and denying the club a fee.
That was the late ’90s – but sound familiar?
It’s a nearly identical situation for Trent Alexander-Arnold in 2025. The Liverpool academy graduate signed for Los Blancos this summer on a free from the Premier League side, sparking headlines across England and Spain.
Speaking in New York at an event staged in collaboration between La Liga and Real Madrid to preview coverage for the upcoming season, McManaman – now a lead La Liga commentator for ESPN in North America – said he’s been talking with Alexander-Arnold for “months” about how to handle the move, noting the striking parallels between their paths.
“I’ve spoken to him a number of occasions, and I’ve spoken to his brother, who’s his agent, his representative,” McManaman said. “He’s very close friends with Jude Bellingham, as probably everybody knows. So he knows how to integrate into the Real Madrid side. He knows how to adapt. He needs to learn the language as soon as possible. I know he did his press conference in Spanish, but his Spanish is not that good. That was just, you know, smoke and mirrors and an autoque, but he made a big impression.”
McManaman shared that he’s been in constant discussion with Trent and members of his party, helping him navigate the fine line of keeping Liverpool close to his heart, while opening it up to a new experience in Spain as well.
“He knows how important Liverpool is. He knows that he needs to keep the fans at Liverpool as happy as they possibly can, because he left, you know, under the cloud to a certain extent, even though we got a lovely reception at the end of the season,” he said.
The ESPN broadcaster revealed Alexander-Arnold maintains close ties to his hometown.
You know, he’s back there a lot. He speaks to people a lot, because I’ve spoken to those people. So I don’t think there’s any problem, really. It was just something that he needed to do,” he said. “You know, he’s been at Liverpool since six, he’s played for every team, right through the academy. He’s been a superstar. I think at 26 and coming to the end of his contract. He’s not married, he hasn’t got any children. It’s just a perfect opportunity, if the right club came along to go and express and try something new.”
Alexander-Arnold debuted for Los Blancos at the Club World Cup this summer, starting five matches while recording one assist as Madrid made it to the semifinals of the competition. He didn’t feature in their loss to Paris Saint-Germain that eliminated them from the competition, as he suffered a small knock in the quarterfinals that kept him out. The tournament, overall, was an audition for the Englishman – and McManaman thinks he nailed it. However, he added that he acknowledges and understands how big of a change this is for the young fullback, and that he absolutely thinks he still needs to keep Liverpool as part of his identity as a footballer, even while donning the Madrid shirt.
“As Real Madrid comes asking for you, you know, if anybody asks me, I say you have to go,” he said. “He’s been in constant dialogue with Bellingham for a year or so, asking the questions. And Jude’s had the most amazing time since he’s been there. Real Madrid treats the players very, very well. The fans within the city treat the players very well. So I think he’ll have the most amazing time, I really do.”
McManaman added that nothing will come easy at Madrid, though, including competition. It could result in Alexander-Arnold not being the first choice right back at times, or him potentially inverting into the midfield due to congestion within the team. He pointed to the fitness of Dani Carvajal, a club icon and former Spain captain revered by fans. He noted that Carvajal’s recovery from a serious injury and reintegration into the squad could heavily influence Alexander-Arnold’s role, though the Englishman’s versatility could help solve some of that challenge.
“If [Carvajal]’s as good as he’s ever been, that’ll be a test for Trent,” McManaman said. “Secondly, he can certainly play in the center of midfield, and he could do it for Real Madrid, and certainly in La Liga games, no problem at all. I think a lot of it will depend on whether they have injuries in there, whether Camavinga is injured. You know, Jude Bellingham is going to be out for another six weeks or something. So he could play in there if need be, and he could probably get away with it in the early parts of the season.”
He added, “It’s when we get to March, April, May, when you are the last 16 of the Champions League. That’s when you need everybody fit, playing in their correct positions. But I certainly think early on, the early stage of the Champions League, early stages they’ll be absolutely fine playing those positions.”
While most of La Liga will kick off this weekend, Real Madrid doesn’t report to the pitch until Tuesday, when they host Osasuna in their season opener. It will serve as Trent’s first league match for the club. McManaman added he doesn’t think it will be an easy start for either Alexander-Arnold or his England teammate Marcus Rashford on rival Barcelona, but the best way to kick things off is by winning over the fanbase and giving 100 percent – because both Barcelona and Real Madrid command such.
“Well, I think initially, it’s just about doing your best on the football pitch and winning the fans over in that respect. You know, appearing on the realms of TV, for instance, or appearing in the press and speaking to them, and trying to learn the language,” he explained. “But initially, it’s you win over your teammates and the fans like what you show on the pitch, because that’s all they really see. Now… you turn up on a Saturday, if you’re outstanding and score, fans will love you.”
