In the world of football, loyalty is often seen as a virtue, but in reality, it can be a hindrance to progress. This is evident in the cases of Scott McTominay and Emile Smith Rowe, who have both been forced to leave their boyhood clubs, Manchester United and Arsenal, respectively, due to a lack of opportunities.

McTominay, who joined Manchester United at the tender age of five, has been a stabilizing influence during the tumultuous reigns of Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Erik ten Hag. However, despite his dedication and hard work, he has been deemed surplus to requirements and will soon be plying his trade at Napoli.

Similarly, Smith Rowe, who joined Arsenal at the age of 10, has been sold to Fulham despite making 80 Premier League appearances and representing England at the international level. His departure highlights the harsh reality of football, where sentiment is often sacrificed at the altar of progress.

Scott McTominay will join Napoli having been at Manchester United since he was aged five

Emile Smith Rowe’s love for Arsenal ran deep but he was not deemed good enough to stay

The cases of McTominay and Smith Rowe serve as a stark reminder that, in football, loyalty is a two-way street. While players are expected to be loyal to their clubs, clubs are not always reciprocally loyal to their players.

This brings us to the curious case of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who finds himself in a peculiar situation at Liverpool. With only a year left on his contract, Alexander-Arnold holds all the cards, and his future is shrouded in uncertainty.

Despite being one of the most talented academy products in recent memory, Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation has been allowed to drift, leaving him free to consider his options. Liverpool should have tied him down to a new deal last summer, but they didn’t, and now they face the very real possibility of losing him to a rival club.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation means he can leave the club for free next summer

The reality is that Alexander-Arnold has earned the right to put himself first and consider his options. Money will undoubtedly play a significant role in his decision-making process, and he will be aware of the lucrative deals on offer from rival clubs.

Every big club in Europe will be monitoring Alexander-Arnold’s situation, and it’s hard to blame him if he decides to explore new opportunities. After all, he has won everything he can win at Liverpool, and the allure of La Liga, where he can elevate his profile to the next level, may prove too great to resist.

Alexander-Arnold already has a close friendship with Real Madrid Galactico Jude Bellingham

The time is now for Alexander-Arnold to make a decision about his future. If he wishes to stay at Liverpool, a new deal will follow. But if he’s unsure, or wants to explore new opportunities, then the truth is that the time is probably now.