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Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced he's leaving Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images))

Trent Alexander-Arnold has thrown caution - and Jurgen Klopp's warning - to the wind as he prepares to bring his Liverpool career to a close.

In a heartfelt message to Reds supporters posted on social media, Alexander-Arnold said his decision stemmed from a desire to take the next step in his footballing journey.

However, history suggests that high-profile moves to La Liga haven't always worked out for former Liverpool stars - with Philippe Coutinho's ill-fated £142million transfer to Barcelona in 2018 a particularly cautionary tale.

The Brazilian struggled to find his rhythm in Catalonia, failing to live up to his price tag and ultimately becoming a peripheral figure - while Liverpool, in a twist of irony, went on to conquer both England and Europe within two-and-a-half years of his departure.

Just months after the transfer, Klopp revealed he had urged Coutinho to stay, warning him that he risked becoming "just another player" at one of Europe's super-clubs.

"I told him to stay here and they will end up building a statue in your honour," the German explained.

Here you can be something more."

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Coutinho didn't heed the warning - and it seems Alexander-Arnold hasn't either.

If his move to the Bernabeu goes through, he'll be reunited with England team-mate Jude Bellingham, who has been sensational since joining Los Blancos in 2023.

Philippe Coutinho's move to Barcelona didn't work out(Image: Getty Images)

However, breaking into the starting XI may prove challenging.

Steve McManaman, another Liverpool academy product, made the same leap in 1999 - also on a free transfer - and went on to enjoy a decorated spell in Madrid, winning two La Liga titles and lifting the Champions League twice.

The Uruguayan forward joined Barcelona in 2014 and formed one of the most feared attacking trios in football history alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, like Philippe Coutinho before him, is ignoring Jurgen Klopp's advice(Image: Getty Images)

Over six prolific seasons, Suarez netted 198 goals and captured four La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy, cementing his legacy as one of the club's modern greats.

Alexander-Arnold will be acutely aware of both the pitfalls and the potential rewards.