Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed the basis of a joke about Roy Keane and Tranmere Rovers after Sunday’s game an unexpected Premier League draw with Manchester United.
Alexander-Arnold, although praised for his technical ability down the stretch, has often come under fire for the defensive side of his game.
United exploited that weakness and Keane didn’t hold back during the post-match briefing Sky Sportsmocking the ongoing transfer links with Real Madrid and suggesting such performances he would be better at home in the Second League.
“It’s too easy, just a couple of balls over the top,” Keane said during the broadcast.
“Trent defends, it’s like a schoolboy. When we talk about going to Real Madrid, after this he will go to Tranmere Rovers.”
Tranmere’s social media team saw an opportunity and responded further Xearlier Twitter.
❔ Trent to Tranmere, Roy? No, we’re fine, thanks.#TRFC #SWA pic.twitter.com/fQ6bgvUcDE
— Tranmere Rovers FC (@TranmereRovers) January 5, 2025
“Trent to Tranmere Roy? No we’re fine thanks,” the club’s official account posted alongside a picture of starting right-back Cameron Norman.
The smiley was viewed two million times, reposted more than 7,000 times, with 45,000 ‘likes’.
Alexander-Arnold’s future remains uncertain, his contract with Liverpool expires in the summer and he is currently on his way to leave the club as a free agent to Real Madrid. European champions have them too unsuccessfully tried to get him to Spain sooner.
The 26-year-old has a big decision to make at a crucial time in his career. Gary Lineker, who has experience swapping England for Spain after joining Barcelona in 1986, recently suggested criticism of Alexander-Arnold’s defense would be less prevalent in La Liga.
“He’ll love it [in Spain]. It will be amazing. They will love and appreciate his passing range. He is at the peak of his career,” Lineker said The rest is football in December.
“I wouldn’t begrudge him. I think it makes a lot of sense. A free transfer is the way Real Madrid have been working recently. He’s really close to Jude Bellingham and would fit in nicely. He’d be a huge success. They wouldn’t focus critically on his defense like we do here, in my opinion.”
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