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Trent Alexander-Arnold has reiterated that his choice to quit Liverpool represented the most difficult decision he has ever faced.
The England defender is now plying his trade at Real Madrid, having penned a six-year contract with the La Liga team, though certain Reds supporters remain disgruntled by how his departure unfolded. He's not experienced the greatest of starts to life in Spain, having been benched by Madrid and dropped from the England squad altogether.
Former Liverpool forward Michael Owen followed a similar path to Alexander-Arnold during his playing days, and suggested that some fans who back the club unconditionally were unlikely to support the player's stance. Portions of the fanbase gave Alexander-Arnold a hostile reception during the latter stages of last season.
Speaking to GQ Espana, Alexander-Arnold has now elaborated on his motivations for swapping Anfield for the Bernabeu. "It was one of the hardest decisions of my life. Liverpool is my home; it made me who I am. But Madrid felt like the right step, at the right time," he said as quoted by Football Espana, echoing a similar message he said on his exit.
"It was ambition and a personal desire for change. To challenge myself in a new environment. Of course, Real Madrid's legacy is undeniable. But more than that, what attracted me was my ambition and the desire to test myself in new surroundings.
"It's a challenge, but one I welcome. Playing at the Bernabeu is sacred. You can feel the weight of the shirt, but that's what drives you to give it your all."
Owen's Spanish sojourn lasted merely 12 months, with the forward subsequently returning to English soccer via Newcastle. Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast earlier this week, he revealed his thoughts regarding supporters' reactions to Alexander-Arnold's transfer.
"I didn't like it," he said of the backlash toward Alexander-Arnold. "I understand it, of course. We understand it because we live it, and we've lived it all our life, and we're in and around football.
"But fans will never get it because they've got a badge there, and until the day they die, they will always support that badge. And no matter what the club do, they might do wrong."
Alexander-Arnold has featured in two of Real Madrid's three league fixtures this campaign, appearing as a late substitute in the remaining game, though he's yet to reach peak form.
Los Blancos maintain a perfect record under new boss Xabi Alonso, with Arda Guler and Vinicius Junior finding the net during the team's weekend triumph over Mallorca.
However, he's been omitted from England's latest squad, with Thomas Tuchel opting for Chelsea's Reece James and versatile Newcastle defender Tino Livramento instead of the Madrid player.
"I spoke to Trent. It was a difficult phone call but I wanted him to hear it from me. Which he appreciated and he was very clear that he's desperate and keen to come back and play for England," Tuchel said.
"It's all in the mix but it is a competitive decision. And just to make the competition a little bit more spicy. First and foremost, I think Trent is a player who needs to feel trust and love from his manager and team-mates and from his club, his country and the fans. He needs that.
"Reece is at the moment slightly ahead in this position, given what he did for us in the last two camps and how he played the CWC with Chelsea. And then we went for Tino Livramento because of the rhythm that he has and he gives us the option to cover both sides.
"Ben White had a very good chance to be with us. I was very happy with his preseason and the feedback I got from him and from the club about his preseason. He started, straight away got injured, that ruined his chances with us. He would've had a very good chance with us."
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