The Ballon d’Or winner, when asked about the situation by ITV Racing, said: “Who can criticise him, really? I know there will be one or two people that will but he’s been there, seen it, done it.
“He’s won absolutely everything the game has got to offer for Liverpool. If he wants to go and try something new for his family, for him, just to do something different in his life, I’ve got no problem.
“It’s different. That’s the beauty of it. You go to a different country, it’s different food, different language, different weather. It’s different football, new stadium, it’s in a white kit and not red. There is a lot of difference.”
Discussing player loyalty and fan reactions, Owen added: “It’s easy for me to say and a lot fans will be screaming at the tele. But if I was a Liverpool fan I would be saying: ‘Thank you very much for all your service, you’ve been incredible, you’ve won everything. Thank you and good luck, we wish you well.’
“Of course that’s what I think and we’re talking football, it’s different to anything else. If you get a promotion, if you could do in your [position], everybody says, ‘Well done, Matt (Chapman, his interviewer), congratulations.’
“But if it’s football, no, you’re a traitor and this and that and the other, which is quite sad because he’s done everything.”
Owen’s own departure from Liverpool left some fans feeling betrayed, especially after he later signed for arch-rivals Manchester United. And his views on Alexander-Arnold may only further risk the wrath of Liverpool supporters.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are eager to secure Alexander-Arnold ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup in June. The right-back’s contract expires on June 30, but Real Madrid kick-off their Club World Cup campaign with a clash against Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal on June 18.
