Jamie Carragher fears the likelihood of Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving his hometown club for Real Madrid is ratcheting up by the day.
The Liverpool legend believes Alexander-Arnold's ambition of winning the Ballon d'Or would be more achievable with the LaLiga giants than the Merseysiders.
Alexander-Arnold's contract expires at the end of the season and despite previously saying winning trophies is his priority, he recently admitted that he'drather win the Ballon d'Or than any team accolade.
That adds an extra dimension into his decision to stay at Liverpool or go - where would best serve his goal?
'My first thoughts when I read that was you're not going to win that as a right-back for Liverpool. Ballon d'Or winners usually play for Real Madrid or Barcelona – that's where the best players in the world go,' Carragher told Sky Sports.
The chance of Trent Alexander-Arnold joining Real Madrid is increasing, says Jamie Carragher
Alexander-Arnold recently admitted that winning the Ballon d'Or is his career priority
'When asked about his ambitions, whether he would pick the Champions League, World Cup or Ballon d'Or, he chose the Ballon d'Or, which I thought was a bit strange or bizarre.
'You'd think he'd pick the World Cup or Champions League as it's a team game. But yeah, he's got massive ambitions – and why not? You've only got one career. He's a unique full-back, absolutely amazing.
'I think Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah will actually stay. But the longer it goes on, I think he'll move to Real Madrid. There will be a lot of frustration with supporters if this carries on and he doesn't sign a contract.
'In the past you've had two players Steve McManaman and Michael Owen. Two great players who played in not very good Liverpool teams. When Trent's been a Liverpool player they have been the best, or close to the best every single season.
'Their reaction will be: "If you're a local player and you're competing for the league and the Champions League every season, what more do you want?" So there will be frustration from Liverpool supporters if Trent moves on.'
Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool's academy at the age of six in 2004 and made his senior debut aged 18 in 2016.
Few players have felt so integral to the club since he arrived on the scene and losing their vice-captain would be the cause of much lament at Anfield.
Real Madrid have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of the full-back, 26, and could even try to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu in January after Dani Carvajal suffered what could be a season-ending injury earlier this month.
Carragher admitted there could be backlash if Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool
Asked how he wanted to be viewed when he retires, he told Sky Sports: 'A legend of football, someone who changed the game.
'That's a main saying that I have: "Don't play the game, change the game." I want that legacy of being the greatest right-back to ever play football.
'I want to reach for the stars and that's where I believe my ceiling can go.'
He added: 'I'd say win a Ballon d'Or [over winning a World Cup]. Because I believe I can. I want to be the first full-back to ever do it.
'It's only after the morning after you retire that you're able to look in the mirror and say, 'I gave it everything I got'.
'It doesn't matter how many trophies you win, or how many medals you've got, it matters what you give to the game and if you reach your full potential.'