Liverpool may already have to forget about Álvaro Carreras, who graduated from Manchester United’s academy, despite the Real Madrid left-back being mentioned as one of their transfer options.
The Spaniard has been linked with a move to Anfield, but there’s a rather big problem. Real Madrid have no intention of letting him go.
It’s quite a change from the summer, when Carreras was among the players who could have left the Santiago Bernabéu. Things have moved on since then, and José Mourinho now sees him as an important part of his squad.
For Liverpool, that could mean crossing one name off their list before anything has even got going.
Real Madrid close the door on Liverpool
Carreras was recently named as one of the left-backs Liverpool are considering. He wasn’t presented as their only target, with the Reds also looking at other options for the position.
Now, Bernabéu Digital have offered an update from Madrid, and it’s hardly encouraging for the Premier League club.
According to the outlet, Real Madrid don’t expect to sanction Carreras’ departure. The 23-year-old is considered important to their long-term plans, and his contract runs until 2031. The Manchester United youth product isn’t in his very best form, but is still appreciated.
That wasn’t necessarily the case a few months ago. Madrid had a crowded left-back department following Marc Cucurella’s arrival in the summer. Carreras was among those whose departures were considered, with the club needing to make room.
Fran García eventually left instead. Ferland Mendy stayed, although he’s not part of Mourinho’s plans.
That left Cucurella and Carreras as the Portuguese manager’s two main options. And he’s apparently rather happy with that arrangement.
Carreras playing less, but Mourinho wants him around
Cucurella remains the undisputed first choice at Real Madrid. His performance against Barcelona, when he kept Lamine Yamal quiet, only strengthened his position.
Carreras, though, has been making a good impression himself. Bernabéu Digital explain that the former Benfica defender has performed well whenever called upon. He’s even done enough to threaten Cucurella’s starting place at times.
The numbers show just how much his role has changed since leaving Benfica, though.
| Season | Club | Appearances | Minutes played | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | Benfica | 52 | 4,519 | 4 | 5 |
| 2025/26 | Real Madrid | 38 | 3,227 | 2 | 3 |
| 2026/27 | Real Madrid | 8 | 340 | 1 | 0 |
Carreras has played just 340 minutes across eight appearances this season, averaging 42.5 minutes per outing. That’s a considerable drop from last term, when he averaged almost 85 minutes per match.
At multiple points, Manchester United were criticised for having let him join Benfica, given he’d gone on to edge towards being a Real Madrid star.
He’s clearly getting less football, but Madrid don’t appear concerned about that. Mourinho has a clear hierarchy in mind, yet considers both Spaniards important. The plan is to share minutes between them throughout the season.
That makes a departure in the near future unlikely, even with Carreras having to compete for his place.
There’s also the question of what Real Madrid would gain from selling him. They already have Mendy outside Mourinho’s plans, and losing Carreras would leave them needing another reliable option behind Cucurella.
Liverpool’s alleged interest hasn’t been accompanied by claims of an offer or negotiations. And the latest information from Madrid suggests there’s little point in expecting progress anytime soon.
Carreras might have been available in the summer… But Liverpool have missed that window. Now it’s a different story.
