Roy Keane has rubbished Trent Alexander-Arnold’s links to Real Madrid, claiming his display against Manchester United will lead to a Tranmere move.

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Reds defender running down contractLinked with a switch to Spanish giantsQuestions asked of defensive abilityFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Liverpool defender is seeing his contract at Anfield run down, with free agency set to be hit in the summer of 2025. La Liga giants Real are said to be making efforts to bring him onto their books during the January transfer window.

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Alexander-Arnold’s ability going forward, with an impressive haul of assists to his name, has made him of obvious interest to Champions League title holders in Spain. Questions have, however, been asked of his defensive ability over the course of a distinguished career.

WHAT ROY KEANE SAID

More of those were aimed in the England international right-back’s direction during a Premier League clash with United, as the Red Devils exposed frailties in his area of the field and regularly broke into space behind. That led to Keane telling : “We talk about how brilliant Trent is going forward but Trent’s defending today, my goodness. It’s like schoolboy stuff. There’s talk about him going to Real Madrid, but the way he’s defending he’ll be going to Tranmere Rovers after this. Got to do better.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Liverpool’s Merseyside neighbours quickly responded to that quip, saying on social media: “Trent to Tranmere, Roy? Nah, we're alright thanks.” Said post was accompanied by a picture of wing-back Cameron Norman, who scored their winner against Carlisle last time out.