Emile Heskey has urged Trent Alexander-Arnold to return to Liverpool, saying the defender would be welcomed back "with open arms" at Anfield in a move he believes would benefit both parties.
The former Premier League striker's comments echo those of Jamie Carragher, who was the first to back a return for the right-back. Alexander-Arnold has started just four times for Real Madrid this season, with Denzel Dumfries preferred by Jose Mourinho at the Spanish club.
Heskey backs homecoming
Since leaving Anfield on a free transfer, the 28-year-old has been linked with a move back to England after a difficult start to his time at Real Madrid. Speaking to BestBettingSites, Heskey insisted people need to move on from the manner of his departure.
He said: "I would love Trent to come back. Whether he would, I'm not sure. Obviously with Trent, it'll be about him and his people deciding whether they want to come back to Liverpool. I think he'd be welcomed back with open arms by the majority of Liverpool fans, to be honest with you."
"You will always get some who probably hold a bit of a grudge because of how he departed on the free transfer, 'Well, we don't want him back, he did this.' No, let's move on from there. Let’s think about what he did on the grass for Liverpool."
Carragher's earlier support
Carragher previously backed a return for Alexander-Arnold, arguing that while Ronald Araujo is "fantastic," the England international's creative spark has been missed. Speaking on the Overlap Fan Debate, he said: "At the moment, he’s actually third choice right-back for Real Madrid."
"They’re playing a midfield player at right-back, so even in El Clasico, Denzel Dumfries, the first-choice right-back, comes on as a sub. So when you’re third choice at a club, they’re obviously wanting you to move on."
"I’d have him back. I think he made a big mistake (leaving). But if something benefits Liverpool Football Club going forward, when you think of the problems Liverpool have in terms of the right-back... Ronnie (Ronald Araujo) has been fantastic but we do have a problem in terms of full-backs passing. We’ve definitely missed his (Alexander-Arnold) creativity."
