Chief football writerPublished5 May 20252308 CommentsTrent Alexander-Arnold's announcement that he is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season confirmed what had seemed an inevitability for months
And even though his next destination was not mentioned in his emotional farewell video
it is an open secret that he will join his friend and England colleague Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid
Alexander-Arnold deserves credit for clarifying his future now
He could have taken the easy way out and left Liverpool supporters hanging until after the Premier League title victory parade around the city on 26 May
the 26-year-old has made his decision public with two home games left - the first against Arsenal
and the second on the final day against Crystal Palace
when Liverpool will lift the trophy to celebrate their 20th English league title
It will leave him at the mercies of many Liverpool supporters who are baffled that the player they celebrate in song as "the Scouser in our team" has decided to leave his boyhood club on a free transfer
Alexander-Arnold's celebration of his late winner at Leicester City in April
when he ripped off his red shirt and hoisted it on a corner flag in front of Liverpool's supporters at the King Power Stadium
prompted faint hope that he might find it impossible to leave the club he has called home for 20 years
The truth hit home when he once more refused to discuss his future during the celebrations of that win
He was leaving Liverpool and no amount of emotional pull on the heartstrings would change his mind
Those emotions will be mixed in the stands and on the pitch when Alexander-Arnold plays his final game at Anfield on 25 May – but his leaving as a title winner might just ease the disappointment
that many Liverpool followers will be feeling
Liverpool's fans have also have also been questioning the timing of Alexander-Arnold's decision
He leaves with Liverpool on a title high and well placed to challenge for the biggest domestic and European trophies for years to come
while Real Madrid looked like a team in need of renewal when they were thrashed 5-1 by Arsenal over two legs in the Champions League quarter-final
Alexander-Arnold enjoyed a dream return from injury
netting the winner against Leicester in April
It will also be a time of churn off the pitch at the Bernabeu
with legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti expected to leave at the end of the season
Why leave the stability and success of Liverpool for a time of transition at Real Madrid
The lure of Real Madrid is almost always irresistible
Bellingham was being courted by every major club in Europe before deciding on Real
As he put it at the time: "When Real Madrid knock on the door
The biggest indicator as to where Alexander-Arnold's future lay came when Real Madrid lodged a £20m bid in the January transfer window
Those with long knowledge of Real's transfer strategy were assured they would not make such a move
without being confident a free transfer would be completed in the summer
not only wanting to keep Alexander-Arnold but also hoping to buy time for a change of heart
he met head coach Arne Slot to inform him he would not be signing a new contract
While there was always a quiet confidence behind the scenes at Anfield that Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk would sign new deals
there was never the same sense of assurance about Alexander-Arnold
a difficult season for Alexander-Arnold with injuries and the constant speculation - and latterly assumption - that he was on his way out
It all seemed to come to head in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Anfield in January
After Real Madrid's bid became public knowledge, Alexander-Arnold delivered a nightmare performance in what looked like a fog of confusion
playing a poor pass that led to Lisandro Martinez's goal for United before getting caught out badly for Amad Diallo's late equaliser
He was then given a yellow card and replaced by Conor Bradley with four minutes left
having looked lost and distracted throughout
while suddenly feeling the sound of Anfield's frustration aimed in his direction
It is often whistling in the wind to ask fans who feel betrayed
Alexander-Arnold has played a pivotal in the good times Liverpool's global fanbase have basked in
first under Jurgen Klopp then in a remarkable first title-winning season under Slot
He has made 352 appearances since making his debut in 2016
scoring 23 goals and claiming all of the game's major prizes
Alexander-Arnold was integral when Liverpool won their first title in 30 years with Klopp at the helm in 2019-20
having won the Champions League the year before by beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the final in Madrid
He now has two Premier League titles to his name
as well as the Fifa Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup
For all the debate around Alexander-Arnold's defensive flaws
these were outweighed by the creative brilliance and stunning range of passing that always gave Liverpool an extra dimension
This is proved by his rate of providing 86 assists in his Anfield career
Alexander-Arnold will be remembered as the local boy who became a modern Liverpool greats
Now he must wait to see if this is fully acknowledged by the supporters who adored him as one of their own wearing the red shirt
'Exceptional' Bradley 'needs competition'
Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool at end of season
Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool & 'expected to join' Real Madrid - reaction and updates
How could Liverpool replace Alexander-Arnold
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2425 CommentsEngland right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will leave Premier League champions Liverpool at the end of the season
is out of contract on 30 June and is expected to join Real Madrid
"After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club
now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season," Alexander-Arnold announced on social media
"This is easily the hardest decision I've ever made in my life."
Alexander-Arnold is one of three high-profile players whose deals at Anfield run out this summer
but while Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have signed fresh contracts in recent weeks
Alexander-Arnold will leave when his expires
The Liverpool-born defender has made 352 appearances
scored 23 goals and provided 86 assists for the club since making his debut in 2016
He has helped them win this season's top-flight title under Arne Slot and also won the Premier League under the Reds' former manager Jurgen Klopp in 2019-20
His other trophies with Liverpool include the Champions League in 2018-19
"This club has been my whole life – my whole world - for 20 years," added Alexander-Arnold
"From the academy right through until now
the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever
I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge
taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally."
Liverpool said Alexander-Arnold "will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success"
How could Liverpool replace Alexander-Arnold
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Alexander-Arnold was a midfielder during his days in Liverpool's academy but was introduced into the first team by Klopp as a right-back
Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold have been a major talking point during Slot's first season in charge
with the Dutchman regularly being asked about their futures
Salah announced he was staying on a new two-year deal in April and was followed by Van Dijk agreeing similar terms the following week
However the speculation about Alexander-Arnold continued and, while Slot praised the defender on 18 April and said his future was still "not done"
Alexander-Arnold said he had waited to announce his decision as Liverpool had now secured their 20th top-flight title
"Obviously there's been a lot of noise around what the decision was going to be and how that was going to look," said Alexander-Arnold
"I know a lot of people will say I should have said sooner
a lot of people will say maybe I waited for the right time
But I felt personally the focus should always be on the pitch
"When we were in a title race and trying to push for trophies
it's about making the right decision for the team and trying not to distract the team and take away from what we're doing on the pitch
"Now that we've won the league and we've been able to celebrate it and celebrate such an amazing achievement
I felt like now is the right time to get it off my chest and tell the fans the truth
Liverpool rejected an approach from Real Madrid for Alexander-Arnold in January and
while his decision to leave has come as a major disappointment to the club
they believe they did all they could to convince him to stay
Richard Hughes contacted Alexander-Arnold's representatives before he officially took over as Liverpool's sporting director last summer
Formal negotiations started following Slot being confirmed as Klopp's successor last May and
while contact was ongoing during cordial and constructive negotiations
it became clear to the club that Alexander-Arnold would not sign a new contract
Hughes met Alexander-Arnold's representatives for a final time earlier this Spring and
The biggest unkept secret in English football is finally confirmed: Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool after 20 years at his boyhood club
What happens next will hardly be a bombshell revelation either
the defender will join Real Madrid on a free transfer in the coming weeks following months of discussions with the Spanish giants
It's the lure of a new challenge - the prestige of becoming a Galactico - that is the overriding motivation for Alexander-Arnold
while he will undoubtedly be well remunerated in the Spanish capital - with well-placed sources indicating his basic wage in Madrid will be supplemented by a healthy commercial and image rights package - Liverpool were willing to make Alexander-Arnold one of the best-paid defenders in Premier League history to sign a new contract at Anfield
But you get the impression that money isn't the sole driver for Alexander-Arnold
He's won everything there is to win with Liverpool
too; playing a key role in the club's 20th league title triumph
Winning at Real Madrid puts you on different stratosphere
even for someone as emotionally attached to his surroundings as Alexander-Arnold is
will relinquish the vice-captaincy - a role Mohamed Salah is understood to be a prime candidate to fill for next season
Leaving home will carry an emotional burden but a new challenge is on the horizon for Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold helped Liverpool win Europe's top competition for a sixth time when they beat Tottenham in the 2019 Champions League final
Liverpool's Premier League win in 2020 ended a 30-year wait for an English top-flight title
View comments | 2425Top storiesTrailblazer Zhao set to take snooker to 'another level' in China
Full-back did it all for his boyhood club and is off to a new reality where his game will face increased scrutiny
Before basking in the acclaim and adulation of the Kop when No 20 was sealed two Sundays ago
Trent Alexander-Arnold headed for the suits
There was a warm embrace between the Liverpool star and Michael Edwards
chief executive of football at Fenway Sports Group
the man who initiated contract talks with Alexander-Arnold’s brother and agent prior to starting as the club’s new sporting director last summer and has faced a losing battle on that score ever since
The Premier League champions are losing a unique
That will sting FSG almost as much as the supporters
who understandably cannot reconcile one of their own wanting to jump ship at any moment
let alone after the high of the club’s record-equalling league title
If the Anfield celebrations on the day the championship was secured against Tottenham could not change the defender’s mind – and he had informed Slot of his decision to leave in late March – nothing would
Alexander-Arnold has been a first-team fixture at Liverpool for nine seasons
Steven Gerrard marked him out as having “a terrific chance of making it as a top professional” in his 2015 autobiography
He was Trent Arnold back then and had caught Gerrard’s eye playing as a holding midfielder in the under-16s team he was coaching
“He’s quite leggy but he’s got a lovely frame and seems to have all the attributes you need,” wrote the Liverpool legend
“He’s still not strong enough at the moment
View image in fullscreenTrent Alexander-Arnold informed Arne Slot of his decision to leave Liverpool in late March
Photograph: Liverpool FC/Getty ImagesThe full-back grew up near Liverpool’s former Melwood training ground in West Derby wanting to emulate Gerrard’s achievements in a red shirt
He has surpassed them in terms of silverware but
has been able to cut ties with the city and the club in the prime of his career
It is not difficult to imagine Alexander-Arnold wanting to embrace a new challenge
a new language and fitting in with the celebrity lifestyle at Real Madrid alongside his good friend Jude Bellingham
Alexander-Arnold’s world-class vision and assists will grace the Bernabéu but for a generation of Madrid fans accustomed to the superior defensive application of Dani Carvajal
There is more to his departure than the lucrative contract he will receive as a free agent
Alexander-Arnold will know how his exit will be received by fellow Liverpool fans
by someone the Kop lauds as the “scouser in our team”
He was also caught out in that first leg by a long diagonal ball that led to Hoffenheim’s consolation goal
The occasional lapse in concentration is something Slot has been working on with the player all season
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There were 12 Premier League assists in 2018-19, a new Premier League record for a defender of 13 assists as Liverpool swept to the title the following season
and another dozen league assists in 2021-22
That season would produce a career-best 19 assists in total as Liverpool played an epic 63-game campaign and Alexander-Arnold continued to redefine what it meant to be a full-back
the defender had won every competition he had competed in with Liverpool – the Champions League
Another Premier League and League Cup have since been added to the collection
That doesn’t happen to a defender who cannot defend
The glittering CV also explains his desire to try something new
There were some reservations inside the camp as to how the travel and temperatures would affect the team on its swift return to domestic action on Boxing Day
with Alexander-Arnold involved in all four goals
was a decisive moment in Liverpool’s quest to end their 30-year wait for title No 19
Alexander-Arnold has captained his boyhood club
and flourished in a hybrid full-back/midfield role under Klopp
the man who appointed him Liverpool’s vice-captain in July 2023
There is still a Premier League trophy lift and parade to come
It will be interesting to hear how Alexander-Arnold’s part in the celebrations after Crystal Palace visit Anfield on 25 May is received
or how Anfield reacts to confirmation of his exit against Arsenal on Sunday
An awkward few weeks await but Liverpool will move on
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Ciaran Wiseman
Chelsea star Cole Palmer admitted 's*** happens' as he finally ended his four-month goal drought in his side's 3-1 win over champions Liverpool
The England international fired in a late penalty to seal the victory, with the Reds losing their first Premier League game in which Virgil van Dijk has scored
Arne Slot's side
featuring for the first time since clinching the title last weekend
fell behind at Stamford Bridge just three minutes in after Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring
Chelsea wrapped up the points in the second half with a Jarell Quansah own goal and Palmer penalty either side of Van Dijk's consolation strike
It is the first time the Reds have lost with the Dutch defender on target in the top-flight
Their unique unbeaten streak dates back to hisfirst league goal for the club in December 2018
In contrast, Palmer ended his own dry spell in front of goal with his stoppage time spot-kick.
The England international had not found the net since January, a run stretching back 18 matches.
His emotions got the better of him during an X-rated post-match interview.
Palmer told Sky Sports: "I just felt normal
but it just gives me more fight and motivation to do more for myself and for the team
"Social media nowadays is full of idiots
"I've scored today and I'm happy but it's only one and I've got to keep improving and try and reach new levels."
he added: "Getting chances and not scoring
it feels like you're letting your team down
"I feel like I am mentally strong anyway
I feel pride in helping the team and if I'm not doing that
"When you have got him [Moises Caicedo] in front of you
nice to everyone and everyone loves him."
Palmer now boasts 25 goal contributions this season
the 22-year-old has scored 15 times and provided ten assists for his team-mates
the result marked Liverpool's first loss by two goals in the league under Slot
Following his appointment last summer, the former Feyenoord boss had only seen his side lose twice in the Premier League
Those defeats to Nottingham Forest and Fulham had both been by a single goal
The Reds remain 15 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table with just three matches remaining
they occupy fifth place in the race for Champions League qualification
Liverpool gifting the win to Chelsea could have long-term consequences
And the Blues are nothing but the new Spurs
Send your mails to theeditor@football365.com
They do realise Chelsea with Champions League next season are going to be targeting the players they will be after
Have 7 substandard goal keepers and your best one out on loan …
Have a player clearly should be playing at a bigger club….
Wait til the offers come and that pesky PSR must profit on English players dilemma comes in …
Have fans who think they are a big club… Check
Have a manager who gets carried away at beating a big club …… Check
Have an average winger who cups his ears at away fans despite being
Second prize if you thought I was talking about Arsenal
READ: 16 Conclusions on Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool: Brilliant Cole Palmer exploits half-hearted Liverpool
But the Newcastle v Chelsea game next Sunday became at least a £50million pointer – and could cost Maresca his job
Elite teams win ties even with big matches looming
Elite teams are capable of finding solutions that win matches through squad rotation
Elite teams don’t have to use emotions to channel their focus
Elite teams don’t need to wave their arms and gee up their fans at every throw in
Elite teams don’t drop points in 44% of their home matches
I feel like I’m going mad that anyone can consider Bournemouth’s winning goal as anything other than handball under the current rules
A ball bouncing in an upwards trajectory towards a players hip/stomach/elbow area as he’s leaning back (being pushed back) and then takes a sudden downward trajectory after it hits him
Literally the only way this can happen is by it hitting his elbow
but even if you want to be obtuse and argue that (hello Jamie completely unbiased Redknapp) then you can just use basic knowledge of how physics of a moving ball works
In a sea of frankly embarrassing referee and var decisions all season that has to be right up near the top and another one of those that seems reserved especially for Arsenal
It feels like there can be a really poor decision and var can say I think 99.9% you’ve got that wrong but because I can’t rule out the 0.1% chance that I’m wrong I won’t overturn it
but they will also get a few that go their way
Even if you subscribe to the view that all decisions have so much subjectivity around them these things are 50/50 then how have Arsenal had 10+ of these 50/50 decisions and every single one go against us
Genuine question – have Arsenal had any game defining subjective 50/50 decision to in their favour all season in the league
I wonder how long before INEOS pull the plug on him
will they repeat the trick like they did last October with Ten Hag and summer transfers
But back to Amorim as he shows no sings of learning the way teams play in Premier League
5 at back and low block for every game since he arrived and they are still leaking goals
(This is the Premier League table since Ruben Amorim was appointed; I don’t think he would have relegated them – Ed)
I’m aware that anything you publish in the Mailbox is your property
This is my explicit permission to publish anything I post under that name in whatever format you choose
nail down the “I presumes” and still publish it for free (in this case
All the recent Mailbox entries about broadcast commentary and punditry have made it clear that I don’t understand how most of the members of this forum experience the sport
I don’t really even understand who’s providing what coverage of what competition in England
I’ll try to describe what I see in the US
and other US fans will no doubt fill in gaps
Also: I’m talking studio/pitch-side work
not match commentary (another can of worms; NBC features Graeme Le Saux
I get my EPL coverage from NBC and subsidiary networks like USA and – on the final day of the season – Golf Channel and the Food Network or whatever
and as many as six matches a weekend are available with basic cable
The balance of coverage is handled by Peacock
which lets me see every EPL match (and replays) with no blackouts
Some matches see the US studio team broadcasting from a ground hosting a big match
Rebecca Lowe swings between anchoring Premier League coverage for NBC in the US alongside Tim Howard and Robbies Earle and Mustoe and covering the Kentucky Derby and occasional English-market specific events
so it’s always been clear that we in the US aren’t getting the same product that you do in England
the crew broadcast from Churchill Downs before the Kentucky Derby
disappeared from the NBC broadcast to do something for…Sky
If you folks around the world see any of these NBC broadcasters
even if NBC’s version of deep reporting is having a dude hold English sports-page headlines up to his webcam
The Robbies are personable and solid and have real authority
but evidently not enough for Sky or the Beeb
CBS/Paramount+ has the rights to broadcast Champions League coverage
This is the crew featuring Micah Richards and Thierry Henry
I don’t know whether that’s from Sky or BBC
I had a soft spot for Richards as a player
but find him positively insulting doing football coverage
He’s the guy that all the Ferdinand complaints make me think of
the otherwise excellent Henry’s contempt for Richards seems to show
I generally dislike their material because of the weird primate-dominance and/or sexist vibes I’ve seen it achieve
You have to sub to Paramount+ to get all of this stuff
Almost everything utter MAGA clown Alexei Lalas says reveals ignorance and overconfidence (yeah
I remember how you couldn’t make it in Europe)
and the rest of the crew — mostly former male & female US pros who do have a clue — don’t have a chance
Fox did not acknowledge the human rights violations associated with the Qatar World Cup even once in their coverage
I get access to ESPN/ESPN+ coverage of the FA Cup
big European leagues and most international football (also NHL) through my subscription to Disney+
Its football coverage feels more low-rent than other networks*
and I don’t know how much of it folks in the UK get
but I suspect the rest of the world gets a lot
Adrian Healey and Kay Murray in the UK and Craig Burley
Those last are two of my favorite keepers ever
Roy Keane and Rio Ferdinand (those last two both pretty awful
and Shearer isn’t exactly brilliant except when celebrating NUFC cup wins) on Youtube
I’m seldom sure whether it’s Sky or BBC coverage
because more TV people on that side of the pond seem to have regular radio and podcast gigs on what might be competing networks
I don’t have instant recognition for anybody but former players amongst that cast/those casts
We really haven’t gotten the Amazon presence in the US
though of course they did feature the NUFC documentary/marketing exercise
I didn’t even know that until I started writing this
I sometimes have Spanish-language broadcasts via YouTube TV playin while I do something else but have little familiarity with the broadcasters shown in the US beyond Andres Cantor
Telemundo and Universo broadcast EPL matches and studio “headquarters” programs
One of the Spanish-language networks — Telemundo
— has the EPL and often airs La Liga and Liga MX
The EFL Championship used to be on FuboTV; I think ESPN has it now
And I know there’s an entire ecosystem based on VPNs that I would have clung to like a mother had it existed a quarter century ago
when I got like one EPL match a week via ESPN
You could see more Aussie-rules football than soccer back then
I can watch virtually any match from international level to Australian or African national leagues without resorting to piracy
Three-sided five-a-side football on a circular pitch with three goals
I walked to the kitchen and washed four steel tumblers
and (almost) a spoon before Isak actually took it
but I’m focused on this one: what were they looking for
The penalty was naked-eye obvious and the handball clearly intentional
so that wasn’t what they were looking at
I’m not tryna blame the officials for Newcastle’s draw today
and Hürzeler consistently puts out sides that disrupt our play effectively
they beat us at home on my only trip to SJP
© Planet Sport Limited 2025 • All Rights Reserved
It was during the March international break when the Liverpool right-back
who was recovering from an ankle injury sustained against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Champions League last 16 tie
went to see the Dutchman in his office at the Kirkby training complex
Alexander-Arnold informed Slot that he had decided to leave his boyhood club when his contract expired at the end of the season
He explained how he felt at this stage of his career that he needed to step out of his comfort zone and pursue a new challenge
Slot expressed his disappointment but said he respected his vice-captain’s decision
“You’re a huge part of this team and let’s end it on a high together,” Slot told him
Having been reassured that the head coach still wanted him to feature once he was fit as Liverpool closed in on Premier League title glory
Alexander-Arnold replied: “My mindset and commitment won’t change
I’ll continue to give everything for this club until the final day.”
It was around the same time in March that Alexander-Arnold’s representative formally notified Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract at Anfield
There was little sense of surprise at the club given talks over an extension had effectively ended earlier that month
with Alexander-Arnold then taking some time to reach a final decision
He was determined to keep the news under wraps until after the title had been won to avoid creating any unwanted distractions for the team
Now, eight days after the wild celebrations at Anfield that followed the 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham, there is official confirmation of his impending exit
Both out of respect to Liverpool and the fact that a long-term contract with Real Madrid is not yet signed and sealed
Alexander-Arnold has not confirmed his destination
but he is set to grace the Bernabeu next season
It ends a 20-year association with Liverpool
dating back to when he first joined the academy at the age of six
He lived his dream as he clocked up over 350 appearances and won the Champions League
The Athletic has spoken to multiple sources with knowledge of Alexander-Arnold’s situation
on the condition of anonymity to protect their positions
in an effort to answer the key questions surrounding his decision to depart
find themselves in a position where one of their most valuable assets will be leaving for nothing at the peak of his powers
When did Real Madrid’s charm offensive start in earnest
It was the first time in his professional career that Alexander-Arnold had entered the final two years of his contract
He had previously penned extensions in July 2017
with Liverpool regularly rewarding his development and growing importance to the side with improved terms
Having been appointed vice-captain by Jurgen Klopp following the departure of James Milner
he had expected Liverpool to open talks before the start of the 2023-24 season
There was major upheaval behind the scenes at Anfield
Julian Ward had stepped down as sporting director
just a year after succeeding Michael Edwards
Unable to find a suitable long-term successor
Liverpool gave the job to Jorg Schmadtke on an interim basis
The German executive was tempted out of retirement after being recommended by Klopp’s agent
Schmadtke described himself as Klopp’s “assistant” and his focus was on negotiating transfer deals as the club embarked on a midfield rebuild
the situation was complicated by Klopp informing FSG president Mike Gordon that he had run out of energy and would be leaving at the end of the season
Once Klopp had announced the news publicly two months later
it was clear that everything would be on hold until there was clarity about the direction Liverpool were going in
No player was going to commit without knowing who was taking over and where he stood in his plans
With Gordon keen to take a step back himself, he managed to convince Edwards to return to the fold with greater responsibility
and his first task was to bring in Hughes from Bournemouth as sporting director
Hughes’ initial priority was leading the search for Klopp’s replacement
Hughes’ first call in the job had actually been to Alexander-Arnold’s camp to introduce himself and in late April last year talks over a new contract were initiated
with an opening offer made before the end of that month
The England international understood the circumstances behind why it had taken Liverpool so long to come to the table
he privately started to wonder whether the 2024-25 season could be his last for the club
Interest from Real Madrid was already well known and he questioned how strongly Liverpool really wanted to keep him
Those concerns were allayed in the months that followed by the subsequent offers that Hughes made
It would have made Alexander-Arnold the highest paid full-back in the Premier League and one of the highest in world football
Alexander-Arnold was already considering the prospect of moving to Spain
“Look, I have been at the club 20 years now. I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public. This one won’t be either,” Alexander-Arnold told reporters following Liverpool’s 3-0 home win over Bournemouth in September
Pushed on whether he wanted to stay at Anfield
he added: “I want to be a Liverpool player this season (as a minimum) is what I will say.”
It was the first and final time Alexander-Arnold stopped in a media mixed zone all season
When he conducted interviews with TV rights holders
He kept his counsel as the speculation around his future cranked up
even if that meant allowing others to fill the void with inaccurate information
Privately, he was wrestling with the biggest decision of his life. It was made more difficult by the close relationship he had quickly established with Slot. He loved the new head coach’s meticulous planning and attention to detail
Alexander-Arnold regards him as a genius and a perfectionist
who has helped take the defensive side of his game to the next level
“I want you to be harsh on me,” Alexander-Arnold told Slot as they sat together at Kirkby to analyse his performances during the early weeks of the season
It was clear to him that Liverpool would be serious contenders for the biggest prizes with Slot at the helm
It helped Alexander-Arnold that there was also so much noise for most of the season surrounding the futures of team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah
who both ultimately ended up penning two-year extensions in April
What cut deep was when he heard or read his commitment being questioned
with suggestions that ‘his head was already in Spain’
It reached a crescendo in the build-up to the visit of rivals Manchester United to Anfield on January 5
The player had responded to reports in the Spanish media that he had already given Real Madrid his word that he would join them by making a talking gesture when celebrating scoring in the 5-0 rout of West Ham United
Liverpool officially rejected an approach from Real Madrid
who wanted to buy him in the January window
It was unsolicited and prior to the January 1 date when they were allowed to speak with the player
Sources in Spain indicated they were willing to pay around £20million rather than wait six months to land him on a free transfer
but no figures were discussed during a brief exchange
Edwards and Hughes vowed to keep the squad together for the rest of the season and knew Alexander-Arnold’s value to them was much greater with Slot’s side still competing on four fronts
Liverpool had also snubbed strong interest from Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr in striker Darwin Nunez
On January 18 there was a sense of vindication internally when Alexander-Arnold created the opening goal for Nunez in a dramatic win at Brentford
rivals Arsenal threw away a 2-0 lead against Aston Villa as Slot’s side strengthened their grip on the title race
Alexander-Arnold was hurt by accusations that he had actively encouraged the late December approach. He knew Real Madrid had a crisis at right-back following the knee injury suffered by Dani Carvajal in October and that they wanted to secure his services
but he was never looking to leave mid-season
He only learned a few minutes before it emerged in the UK media on New Year’s Eve that an approach had been received and rejected
he was still in active contract talks with Liverpool and hadn’t made his mind up about his future
All the criticism affected him against Manchester United
He made a number of mistakes and bore the brunt of the Anfield crowd’s frustration during the 2-2 draw
He was grateful for Slot’s support — both publicly and privately — during a difficult period and the reception he got from the away end when he came on against Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final in London three days later lifted his spirits
He then captained Liverpool and scored in the FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley
There was an ovation when he was replaced by Conor Bradley in the second half
Real Madrid had long since been keeping close tabs on Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation and had been confident of securing his signature since November
They have made a habit in recent years of signing up some of European football’s finest talent on free transfers
Chief scout Juni Calafat is always tasked with forging strong links with a target and establishing a player’s willingness to move before general manager Jose Angel Sanchez steps in and leads negotiations
with all major decisions needing the green light from club president Florentino Perez
After Carvajal ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Villarreal
the Madrid board decided that Alexander-Arnold was their top target as they sought to recruit a right-back
they were already looking for a long-term successor
but suddenly faced with a gaping void in the team
they wanted Alexander-Arnold as soon as possible
a source close to coach Carlo Ancelotti told The Athletic: “What I know is that without a right-back
it is impossible to win the Champions League.” Senior figures at Real Madrid thought with Liverpool so far ahead domestically and with an impressive deputy in Bradley
the Premier League leaders might be open to pocketing a fee rather than losing him for nothing in the summer
But they were mistaken and Madrid’s approach was instantly rejected
With Liverpool steadfast in their desire to keep Alexander-Arnold for the rest of the season
Madrid’s focus shifted back to signing him as a free agent
They explained the sporting and economic project in detail and asked him not to renew his contract on Merseyside
There was growing certainty in the Spanish capital that they would get their man
Ancelotti and other senior figures at the club’s Valdebebas training facility had been informed by the board that the deal was as good as done
Slot continued to pick Alexander-Arnold because his attitude did not waver and he did not want to deprive himself of such a creative force
The head coach knew the lengths to which Alexander-Arnold had gone to make himself available
He had played for Liverpool with the aid of painkilling injections after suffering a side strain for England against Finland back in October
He then worked tirelessly during his rehab to get back ahead of schedule after damaging his ankle against PSG in mid-March
That is why there was such an outpouring of emotion when he scored the winner on his comeback away at Leicester City on April 20
he wanted to prove that he was still devoted to securing the club’s 20th top-flight crown
“Let the headlines be his great goal and not his contract situation,” Slot told reporters post-match
“It would be ridiculous if someone argues about his commitment to his club.”
Fellow home-grown players Steve McManaman and Michael Owen had previously left Anfield for Real Madrid in search of glory
but Alexander-Arnold’s situation is different given the runaway title triumph under Slot
His status as a free agent means there will be a hefty signing-on fee
but money was never going to be the motivating factor for Alexander-Arnold
he would have invited offers from across Europe and considered interest from the Premier League
it did not matter what Liverpool offered him financially
Another £5m a year would have changed nothing and there’s little sense of bitterness or resentment on either side
who inherited a tricky situation a year ago and did everything he could to convince him to stay
the protracted negotiations were cordial and constructive
but it became increasingly clear that an agreement could not be reached
They could not give him what he wanted — a fresh challenge
who holds the record for most Premier League assists by a defender
was fully immersed in the celebrations on the field after the emphatic victory over Tottenham at Anfield that wrapped up the title
He stepped forward to be serenaded by the Kop as they chanted about “the Scouser in our team”
He stood in front of the supporters with his arms outstretched before tapping his heart
There was some speculation that the scenes might lead to a dramatic U-turn
there was a warm exchange with Liverpool’s principal owner
“You’ve been an amazing player for this team and I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve given to this club,” Henry told him
but I wish you well for the future.” Alexander-Arnold replied: “Thank you for everything
A couple of streets away, on the corner of Sybil Road, there’s a giant mural of Alexander-Arnold on the wall, accompanied by the quote: “I’m just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has just come true.”
He had uttered those words after the Champions League final victory over Tottenham in Madrid in 2019. Now his story will continue in the Spanish capital.
Premier League tradition was not well received by many of the home faithful at Stamford Bridge
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Arne Slot insists he did not hear Chelsea fans booing the guard of honour given to his Liverpool players as he hinted at potential new signings for the champions this summer
Chelsea abided by established Premier League tradition at Stamford Bridge as their players lined up to applaud their Reds counterparts as they came out of the tunnel ahead of Sunday’s game, with the visitors having wrapped up the title with four games to spare by coming from behind to thrash Tottenham 5-1 at Anfield last weekend
Clubs are under no obligation to perform what is an entirely voluntary gesture, though Blues boss Enzo Maresca and defender Marc Cucurella had both publicly confirmed in the days leading up to the game that they would give Liverpool the guard of honour that they said they deserved - with title rivals Arsenal
Brighton and Crystal Palace all expected to follow suit over the coming weeks
There were loud boos from the home fans as the guard of honour was performed on Sunday, but Slot was more focused on the non-stop title party that continued in the away end at the Bridge despite travel difficulties and a 3-1 defeat for his side
“I only heard our fans during almost the whole game
I just heard that they couldn't come here on trains
But they were on time and they were loud throughout the whole game
I haven't heard anyone booing - I only heard our fans singing.”
Slot followed through on his promise to rotate his squad against Chelsea with the title already clinched
making six changes from the thumping win over Spurs
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His much-altered team lacked intensity for long periods in west London
though forced a grandstand finish when Virgil van Dijk’s late header made it 2-1 with five minutes to play after he had accidentally caused Jarell Quansah’s unfortunate own goal earlier in the second half to follow a third-minute Enzo Fernandez strike
then stepped up in the closing seconds of stoppage time to coolly dispatch a penalty beyond Alisson after Quansah had fouled Moises Caicedo
finally ending his run of 18 matches without a goal across all competitions
Such a defeat with a largely second-string side in many areas will only add to calls that Liverpool need to strengthen their squad this summer in a bid to successfully defend their title
with Georgia international goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili already set to arrive from LaLiga outfit Valencia in a £35million deal agreed last September
Asked if he felt there was a big summer ahead in terms of recruitment
Slot told Sky Sports: “It’s already a big summer because we extended Virgil and Mo [Salah’s contracts]
For large parts of the season I don’t think everybody expected that
so for us to keep them is already a big thing
“We will see what the summer will bring but I’ve said many times
I’m really happy with the squad we have but it is also true that it’s the second year in a row these players are together
“Sometimes it can be good to bring some fresh energy as well
but last year we decided just to keep them all
We won the league and we kept Virgil and Mo.”
On potentially adding to a winning team and “striking while the iron is hot” in the transfer market
but only if we see a chance in the market or if we can see someone who can improve us
“It’s not so easy to improve this team because it’s already a team that won the Premier League
so good against Paris Saint-Germain at home [in the Champions League last 16] but unfortunately we lost that on penalties.”
Federico Chiesa is the only player to have joined Liverpool during Slot’s tenure so far
but has been a peripheral figure on Merseyside since arriving from Juventus in a cut-price deal worth around £12.5m last summer
He is expected to be given a chance to prove himself in the final weeks of the season
but was restricted to a late substitute’s role against Chelsea despite the Reds trailing as he eventually replaced left-back Kostas Tsimikas in the 82nd minute to make a fifth league appearance of the season that will guarantee him a winners’ medal
Many fans were disappointed not to see Chiesa given more of a runout at Stamford Bridge
with Slot explaining when asked why he took so long to introduce the Italian: “Because I decided to bring other players in first
because I already brought Darwin [Nunez] in so that wasn't a position I could bring him in
he played a really good game and I've changed him and took him out in the last few weeks many times already
Mo is always a player that can score a goal
so that's why I first made different substitutions
I would almost say what people expect from me over here is we take an extra risk
but not enough time left for him to make the difference
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paving the way for a free transfer to Real Madrid
The 26-year-old confirmed the decision on his social media channels on Monday. He informed the Liverpool head coach, Arne Slot, that he would not be signing a contract extension at the end of March but kept the news private to avoid distracting from the club’s successful pursuit of the Premier League title
He is believed to have verbally agreed a five-year contract with Real Madrid that reports in Spain claim will be worth around £7.5m a year after tax
Confirmation of Alexander-Arnold’s exit as a free agent is a major setback for Liverpool
although the club believes it did everything within its power to convince the homegrown defender to stay
He was offered a new contract at Anfield that would have made him the best paid full-back in the Premier League and one of the highest paid full-backs in the world
the player’s desire for a fresh challenge usurped the financial and sporting package on offer at Liverpool
Upheaval at the top of the club – from sporting directors leaving to having to find a successor to Jürgen Klopp last year – meant talks over a new deal for Alexander-Arnold did not commence formally until Slot was appointed in May 2024
Richard Hughes made the first approach to Alexander-Arnold’s representatives before officially starting as Liverpool’s new sporting director on 1 June last year
but it became clear in March that the England international was set on a move to Spain and Liverpool would not be able to retain him as well as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk
both of whom recently signed new two-year contracts
“After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club
now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season,” said Alexander-Arnold
“This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life
I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet
but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests
View image in fullscreenTrent Alexander-Arnold has made more than 350 appearances for Liverpool
winning the Champions League and two Premier League titles
Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA“This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years
taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally
“I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club
and I hope you feel like I’ve given back to you during my time here
the staff and our incredible supporters – for the last 20 years
I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never
ever take for granted the special moments I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all
Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool’s youth ranks at the age of six and made his first-team debut in a League Cup tie against Tottenham in October 2016
He has gone on to make 352 appearances for his boyhood club
scoring 23 goals and winning the Champions League
He has long been linked with a move to Real and the sense that he was destined to join the Spanish giants only strengthened after they made a £20m bid for the player on New Year’s Eve that was rejected immediately by Liverpool
The club knew they risked losing an asset for nothing this summer but were determined not to undermine their chances of winning the Premier League title
Liverpool could receive a compensation fee for Alexander-Arnold if he joins Real before his contract expires on 30 June
Real are competing in the Club World Cup this summer and are entitled to register new players from 1-10 June
it is unclear when Alexander-Arnold will complete his move to the Bernabéu
“Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success,” read a Liverpool statement
The player will remain part of Slot’s squad for the final three games of the season and for the presentation of the Premier League trophy after the finale against Crystal Palace on 25 May
Liverpool have announced that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be leaving the club when his contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season
Alexander-Arnold’s departure this summer, reportedly to Real Madrid, will bring an end to a 20-year spell at his boyhood team during which he made 257 Premier League appearances, helping Liverpool to win the title in 2019/20 and 2024/25 and finish as runners-up in 2018/19 and 2021/22
“I think first and foremost, I want to say it’s not an easy decision and there’s a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it," Alexander-Arnold told the club's official website. "I’ve been here 20 years now, loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams, achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to here.
“Giving everything day in, day out for 20 years, I’ve got to a point now where I feel like I need a new change, a new challenge for me as a player and as a person. And I think now is the right time for me to do that.
"There’s a lot I would like to say. The main thing is a massive thank you. You guys have been there from the start with me, you guys have supported me, been there.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Trent Alexander-Arnold (@trentarnold66)
everything that you guys have done has never been unnoticed by me
I hope they have felt that has been reciprocated and that I’ve given everything I could to the club
“I’m just hoping that we’re able to carry on winning games
the noise [around my decision] doesn’t take away from the fact of what we’ve achieved this season
It has been amazing to be part of it and I just hope that everyone is able to maybe not dwell on this news for too long and be able to celebrate what the rest of the lads have done.”
Liverpool said: "Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success.”
Alexander-Arnold has played a part in 72 clean sheets but as an attacking full-back
he has provided 82 goal involvements (18 goals
first joined the Merseyside club as a six-year-old and rose through the ranks of Liverpool's academy where he mainly played as a midfielder
Alexander-Arnold captained Liverpool's Under-16 and Under-18 teams
but it was his switch from a midfield role to defence that fast-tracked his breakthrough into the first team
Having been handed a senior debut as an 18-year-old by Jurgen Klopp in the EFL Cup in October 2016
Alexander-Arnold never looked back and the creative ability he had developed as a midfielder became a game-changing attribute at right-back
Alexander-Arnold became an integral part of a Liverpool side that lifted four trophies in 14 months
After winning the UEFA Champions League in 2018/19
he helped the Reds to claim the Premier League
FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup in 2019/20 - a season in which he passed the 100-appearances mark for his boyhood club
his importance to Klopp was underlined by the fact he featured in all 38 matches en route to Liverpool's first English league title since 1990
A mural on the side of a house in Liverpool pays tribute to Alexander-Arnold with his famous words from after winning the Champions League
"I am just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has just come true."
Alexander-Arnold contributed 13 Premier League assists during 2019/20 – a record for a defender – having bettered his tally of 12 in 2018/19
His emergence as a world-class right-back was confirmed
The No 66's leadership qualities did not go unnoticed by head coach Klopp
and in December 2020 he became the youngest player to captain Liverpool in European competition
in a 1-1 UEFA Champions League draw with Midtyjlland
Alexander-Arnold signed a new long-term deal the following summer and went on to deliver stellar performances throughout the 2021/22 season, winning November's EA SPORT Player of the Month award
the second time he had claimed the accolade
he went on to produce a career-best 18 assists in all competitions - including 12 in the Premier League - across a 63-match campaign in which Alexander-Arnold reached another Champions League final and picked up EFL Cup and FA Cup winner's medals
Alexander-Arnold's exceptional versatility and vision led to him being given a new inverted full-back role towards the end of the following campaign
This switch proved a catalyst for an improved run of form and in the same month when he produced the 50th Premier League assist of his career
he became the first player to assist a goal in five consecutive top-flight matches on two occasions
Despite injury restricting him to 28 appearances in 2023/24
Alexander-Arnold still recorded seven goal involvements (three goals
he has three goals and six assists during another injury-affected campaign
Michael Owen and Steve Cooper discuss the top-five race and who they think will be in the competition next season
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Northern Football CorrespondentMonday May 05 2025
The TimesAs Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped off his shirt after scoring at Leicester City and then
danced in front of the Kop to celebrate Premier League title success
it appeared there was nowhere else he would rather be
His passion for Liverpool came spilling out as dreams were being realised and those giddy images do not now need to be reappraised following confirmation he is leaving this summer on a free transfer
Alexander-Arnold is not departing because he has fallen out of love with the club he joined at the age of six or because he believes they will not continue to be successful under the head coach Arne Slot
Registered in England No. 894646. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF.
Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will be leaving Anfield at the end of the season, but there is no question the two-time Premier League champion and Champions League winner will be departing as a Liverpool great
Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will be leaving Anfield at the end of the season
but there is no question the two-time Premier League champion and Champions League winner will be departing as a Liverpool great
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Jurgen Klopp’s favourite assist of his eight and a half years on Merseyside
launching some extraordinary passes over vast distances
and that no one can replicate Alexander-Arnold’s contribution
Yet a century of goal involvements in a Liverpool shirt was remarkable; it was more than Fernando Torres
Real may imagine Kylian Mbappe or Vinicius Junior racing on to Alexander-Arnold’s deliveries from deep
Superstars of his generation might form part of his rationale for going: he was the youngest of Klopp’s great team and is now leaving a champion side
but also a club whose two finest players are in their thirties
the apocalyptic scenario of losing three outstanding players for nothing has been averted
yet there should still be questions about how it came to this
New sporting director Richard Hughes got in touch with the right-back’s representatives even before taking charge and eventually submitted an offer that would have made him one of the best-paid players in his position in the world
but the context may have changed in the power vacuum before his appointment
Rewind to 2023 and Alexander-Arnold had an excitement at getting the vice-captaincy. It showed Klopp had a long-term plan. In the end, the smooth succession came in the dugout, with Arne Slot taking over from Klopp
Much as Alexander-Arnold enjoyed working with Slot
the man to eventually inherit Virgil van Dijk’s armband will not be his current deputy
For a club who otherwise plan the future well
allowing the three contracts to enter the last year during a transitional time at Anfield
Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah were always different cases
their ages a reason to wait to see if they declined
their preference to stay at Anfield giving the club an advantage in negotiations
Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold’s friendship with Jude Bellingham is often cited as a factor
as his future seemed ever likelier to lie in Spain
that Real often capitalise on such situations
They do not pay for defenders when they can sign David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger on free transfers
Real’s superiority complex might have been apparent in their midwinter attempt to sign Alexander-Arnold
as though they could get him when it suited them
even if it may work out in the right-back’s favour
A free transfer could be more lucrative for him than a £20m transfer
They have lacked a specialist right-back for much of this season
with Lucas Vazquez and Fede Valverde played out of position
they will have two of the finest in the world
with the six-time Champions League winner fit again
It prompts the question of where they fit in: with Carvajal at centre-back
At Liverpool, meanwhile, there is no need to trawl back to 2019 for memories of his commitment. Last week, he was jigging in joy on the Anfield pitch with his fellow full-back and friend Andy Robertson after the title-winning victory over Tottenham
there was the arrowed finish at Leicester to take Liverpool to the brink of the title
the shirtless celebration in front of the travelling fans
It was his first left-footed goal for Liverpool
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Here's how the news broke and Alexander-Arnold's statement
Alexander-Arnold 'expected to join Real Madrid' & Bradley the 'next cab off the rank' - Sami Mokbel & Phil McNulty analysis
One of the finest attacking full-backs in the world & one of the all-time Premier League defenders? Stats and analysis
Reaction from fans is mixed - some wish him well
while others say believe he's making the wrong choice
Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, saying it was "the hardest decision he has ever made".
5554Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingget involvedGet Involvedpublished at 15:43 British Summer Time 5 May15:43 BST 5 May#bbcfootball
via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only
when Conor Bradley won the player of the season award when on loan to us in 22/23
that he would replace Trent Alexander-Arnold sooner rather than later
He was outstanding that season as a 19-year-old and now is ready to step up as the permanent replacement
3183Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingget involvedGet Involvedpublished at 15:39 British Summer Time 5 May15:39 BST 5 MayGet Involved: #bbcfootball
WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only
The comments from Liverpool fans about Real are just bitter
Real haven't been so good this season but history wise they're the biggest club in the world
of course it's going to lure players in
Liverpool fans were also quick to turn on Trent after the Real rumours came in
128283Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingAlexander-Arnold's Liverpool statspublished at 15:38 British Summer Time 5 May15:38 BST 5 MayTrent Alexander-Arnold will take some replacing at Liverpool
4531Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingget involvedGet Involvedpublished at 15:35 British Summer Time 5 May15:35 BST 5 May#bbcfootball
It was clear to me for over a year Trent would be leaving so I’m surprised the confirmation took this long to be honest
He should go down as a Liverpool legend and get a deserved send off
While I wish him the best I don’t wish him success because it’s still Madrid at the end of the day
37448Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingWill Alexander-Arnold sign for Real Madrid?published at 15:33 British Summer Time 5 May15:33 BST 5 MayAnd what of the the future
2617Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingget involvedGet Involvedpublished at 15:30 British Summer Time 5 May15:30 BST 5 May#bbcfootball
TAA has delivered some wonderful LFC moments but to leave on a free at a time when we’re stable and Real Madrid are not puts him in the Steve McManaman bracket
as the game against a poor Manchester United team showed
32394Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingHow will Liverpool fans react?published at 15:29 British Summer Time 5 May15:29 BST 5 MayPhil McNultyBBC Sport chief football writer
Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave Liverpool has deeper significance than most because he is the local boy made good
"The Scouser In Our Team" as he was celebrated in song by The Kop
Many Liverpool fans will accept his departure to Real Madrid as a fact of modern football life
but others will be deeply hurt that someone with such strong ties to the club and city is leaving on a free transfer
Anfield's reaction will certainly be interesting to observe in those final two home game against Arsenal
then for the Premier League trophy lift against Crystal Palace on 25 May
4613Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingget involvedGet Involvedpublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 5 May15:24 BST 5 May#bbcfootball
69190Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingMartim Fernandes - Portopublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 5 May15:22 BST 5 MayWho could replace Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool
The youngest player of the three - and arguably the one with the greatest potential - is Martim Fernandes
who has impressed many since breaking into the Porto first-team this season
Fernandes has five assists to his name and at just 19 years of age is already a key creative cog in the side
He enjoys playing on the front foot and much like Trent Alexander-Arnold
adept at delivering into dangerous zones inside the opposition's six-yard box
It is no wonder he is averaging an expected assists (xA) per match figure of 0.3 in the Portuguese top flight
The young Portuguese provides an option on the flanks by playing high and wide up the pitch when Porto are attacking but is also capable of adding variety by making darting runs for the centre-backs to pass to
beyond the last defensive line of the opposition
He shows promising movement while underlapping or overlapping to hit the byline to cross
and can manoeuvre in tight spaces to curl a cross into the box
Fernandes has averaged an impressive 3.65 crosses per match
His composure on the ball under pressure is impressive - and he has an excellent engine for the defensive side of the game
6610Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingget involvedGet Involvedpublished at 15:18 British Summer Time 5 May15:18 BST 5 May#bbcfootball
My three favourite Liverpool memories in chronological order: Rush’s third goal against Everton in the 1986 FA Cup final; Gerrard’s goal against AC Milan to make it 3-1 and start the comeback in the 2005 Champions League final; and Trent’s corner against Barcelona in the 2019 semi-final
40461Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingAnton Gaaei - Ajaxpublished at 15:16 British Summer Time 5 May15:16 BST 5 MayWho could replace Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool
Anton Gaaei has progressed quickly to become the first-choice right-back at Ajax this season
who joined Ajax after three seasons in the Danish Superliga with Viborg
has two goals and four assists in 23 Eredivisie appearances this term
What immediately stands out about Gaaei is both the quality and variety of his crossing
He is able to generate a lot of power with his right boot to cross the ball from deeper areas or hit the byline and cut back into the box too
His trademark is a low cross hit diagonally to go past defenders to connect with on-rushing team-mates
Gaaei continues to improve on the defensive side of his game
which is helped by his excellent burst of pace in tracking back as well as making useful off-the-ball runs beyond his winger
the young Dane is only in his second season in Dutch football so recruiting him would very much be a project signing for Liverpool
496Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPostpublished at 15:14 British Summer Time 5 May15:14 BST 5 MayThis has felt like a bit of a pile-on
There has not been a lot of love expressed for the La Liga giants
I wonder if there is anyone out there who supports the club and might be able to give a different slant on the kind of welcome and support Trent Alexander-Arnold could expect at the Bernabeu
2171Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingget involvedGet Involvedpublished at 15:12 British Summer Time 5 May15:12 BST 5 May#bbcfootball
Now is a good time to leave but Madrid is not the best place to go if you are looking to spread your wings
the manager will not teach you anything and your team-mates will not care about you
everyone will get shoved into a wood chipper
Important to note that will be a metaphorical wood chipper
30648Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingGuela Doue - Strasbourgpublished at 15:07 British Summer Time 5 May15:07 BST 5 MayWho could replace Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool
Guela Doue is 32 games into his second full season of senior football in Ligue 1
but is already making plenty of waves at Strasbourg
After breaking through in the 2023-24 season at Rennes
Doue has demonstrated his versatility since his switch to Strasbourg
The 22-year-old Ivory Coast international - brother of Paris St-Germain winger Desire Doue - is a right-back who is well capable of playing as a wide centre-back in a three or as a right wing-back
Doue's strengths lie in his ability to defend in one-against-one duels with intensity and move the ball upfield with his passes and carries
When he gets the opportunity to bomb forward at right-back
Doue likes receiving the ball deeper in his own half before progressing the ball further up the pitch with long passes forward to his winger or striker
Doue would be ideal for Slot's backline if they plan to bring in an adventurous full-back on the other side - Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez has been strongly linked with a move
566Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPostpublished at 15:03 British Summer Time 5 May15:03 BST 5 MayRight
let's spend a bit of time assessing the right-backs available out there in Europe who could potentially attract interest from Liverpool this summer
Football tactics writer Ninad Barbadikar has looked into this question for BBC Sport
Here are some of the names he has highlighted..
209Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingget involvedGet Involvedpublished at 14:53 British Summer Time 5 May14:53 BST 5 May#bbcfootball
Sami mentioned in his article that the prestige of becoming a Galactico is too much of a lure for Trent
Mbappe now he’s found his scoring boots and Bellingham
The president of the club promises to bring in the best players available
Trent isn't arriving as a Galactico and I’m afraid I’ve sat with the home fans enough at the Santiago Bernabeu to know they aren’t very patient
Bellingham shows cracks in his temperament when things aren’t perfect
18155Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingWill Liverpool miss Alexander-Arnold's assists?published at 14:50 British Summer Time 5 May14:50 BST 5 MayCraig NelsonBBC Sport reporter
There is a chance that Arne Slot may switch focus when considering this problem
looking for a full-back whose prime aim is to defend while also bolstering his starting XI with an attacking emphasis in other areas
the Reds boss may look to bring in two new faces - a direct replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back and a new creative force in midfield
is that the way Liverpool attack has evolved under Slot
with less emphasis on raids from his full-backs than there has been in the past under Jurgen Klopp
The assists in the team have been spread more widely across different areas
while Mohamed Salah has continued a trend that has seen him surge past Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool's leading creative force
as well as maintaining his role as their top goalscorer
Liverpool's leading players for assists in the Premier League over the past six seasons:
6824Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingget involvedGet Involvedpublished at 14:44 British Summer Time 5 May14:44 BST 5 May#bbcfootball
Conor Bradley is an incredible back-up to Trent
What is it with the Irish Liverpool players being the best back-ups
I think Bradley can do a job but they do need to sign a main right-back for at least a few years
Jeremie Frimpong would be a great suggestion as he’s quick
The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season ahead of his imminent transfer to Real Madrid
Alexander-Arnold has faced months of rumours about whether he would leave Anfield or sign a new contract at his hometown club
The Reds managed to tie down Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk to new two-year deals but talks with Alexander-Arnold had always seemed a bit trickier
And, in the end, the Liverpool academy product had his heart set on a move to Real Madrid with Los Blancos seemingly pulling out all the stops to secure his signature
There had even been suggestions last month that the Reds – who won the Premier League title eight days ago against Tottenham – had made a last-gasp ‘super offer’ to keep him at Anfield
READ MORE: Alexander-Arnold joins list of every Premier League club’s biggest free transfer exit
Reliable journalists had always maintained that Alexander-Arnold would leave and
the England right-back confirmed that he will depart at the end of the season
The statement read: “After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club
now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season
This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life
“I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet
“This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years
“I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club
the staff and our incredible supporters – for the last 20 years
“I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never
My love for this club will never die.”
Alexander-Arnold has achieved almost everything during his time at Anfield with the England international winning two Premier League titles
a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup
But there have been rumours that one of the main reasons Alexander-Arnold wanted to move to Real Madrid was to attempt to win the Ballon d’Or with players in England often overlooked for the award
Liverpool legend John Aldridge reckons speculation over his future impacted Alexander-Arnold’s performances early on this year but he has been key in recent weeks as the Reds won the title
Aldridge said: “He went through a tricky spell about a month ago
“Maybe it was on his mind because he did go through a sticky patch but we all do that
“With what’s surrounding him and the hype
he’s got a lot to take on board now.”
READ NEXT: Ex-Liverpool star Owen insists only two sides can win the Premier League title next season
Tony Robertson
Digital Sports ReporterPublished: Invalid Date
LIVERPOOL have issued a blunt statement after Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed he would be leaving the club after 20 years
Alexander-Arnold, 26, broke through the Reds' Academy into the first team under Jurgen Klopp and emerged into one of the best right-backs in world football
His exploits helped Liverpool land two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League and the Club World Cup
However, in an emotional statement, the defender announced he would be leaving Liverpool when his contract expires this summer
The Englishman, who is expected to be heading to Real Madrid on a free transfer after agreeing a five-year deal worth £240,000 a week
called it "easily the hardest decision I've ever made in my life"
Liverpool made a statement of their own following the news
"The 26-year-old will bring his two-decade-long association with the Reds to an end having made the decision to depart Anfield once his deal ceases on June 30, 2025...
"Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool’s Academy at the age of six and progressed through the ranks at youth level before making his senior debut in 2016.
"He has gone on to make 352 appearances for the Reds to date, scoring 23 goals and lifting eight major honours, including this season’s Premier League title...
"Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success."
The club added a statement from Alexander-Arnold in the announcement
Alexander-Arnold said: "I think first and foremost
I want to say it’s not an easy decision and there’s a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it
achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to here
I’ve got to a point now where I feel like I need a new change
a new challenge for me as a player and as a person
"And I think now is the right time for me to do that."
he continued: "There’s a lot I would like to say
"You guys have been there from the start with me
"I hope they have felt that has been reciprocated and that I’ve given everything I could to the club
It has been amazing to be part of it and I just hope that everyone is able to maybe not dwell on this news for too long and be able to celebrate what the rest of the lads have done."
Slot is said to have expressed his disappointment but respected the decision
telling him: "You’re a huge part of this team and let’s end it on a high together."
Alexander-Arnold then replied: "My mindset and commitment won’t change
I’ll continue to give everything for this club until the final day."
The report adds how fractures began appearing last season when he was left unsettled by fresh contract talks only starting in April
He said to have understood the circumstances of why this was the case due to new sporting director Richard Hughes only just starting his role
but privately wondered if the 2024/25 season would be his final one at Anfield
Hughes' first call in the job was to Alexander-Arnold's camp before subsequent offers would have made the defender the best-paid defender in the Premier League
But ultimately, his exit appeared to help pave the way for the club to sign new and improved deals with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, with the pair now reportedly earning £400,000-per-week each
In a separate statement directly on social media
Alexander-Arnold said: "After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club
"This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life
"I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No.20.
"This club has been my whole life – my whole world - for 20 years
"From the Academy right through until now
"I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club
the staff and our incredible supporters - for the last 20 years
"I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never
"My love for this club will never die."
Alexander-Arnold's expected move to Real Madrid in the summer could happen BEFORE the Club World Cup, though this would mean the Spanish side need to fork out a transfer fee to secure his services in time for the Fifa competition being held in the United States
He will be joining fellow England international and close friend Jude Bellingham in Madrid after he joined the club for £115million in July 2023
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD looks set to join Real Madrid this summer and will join an exclusive club to pull on the famous white jersey
So had did those who came before him get on
Real Madrid splashed out £950,000 to sign Cunningham from West Brom in 1979
As one of the "Three Degrees" alongside Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson
Cunningham had left an unforgettable mark at the Hawthorns
The left winger became an instant hit in the Spanish capital
Cunningham helped his side to the LaLiga title in 1980
and played in the European Cup final against Liverpool the following year
Following a loan spell with Manchester United
Cunningham returned to Madrid with Rayo Vallecano in 1988
The following year he tragically died in a car crash in the city aged just 33
McManaman left boyhood club Liverpool for the bright lights of Madrid in 1999
The Bernabeu crowd immediately took to their new English hero
McManaman helped Real win six trophies in four years
and scored his side's second goal in their victorious 2000 Champions League final
spending the final two years of his career with Manchester City
McManaman worked as a pundit for Setanta Sports
he can regularly be seen on TNT Sports' football coverage
especially when Liverpool or Real Madrid are playing
Real Madrid made Manchester United superstar Beckham their latest Galactico
Golden Balls joined a squad boasting the likes of Ronaldo
Zinedine Zidane and Roberto Carlos in the Spanish capital
Despite his love for high-end fashion and the celebrity lifestyle
Beckham became much beloved in Spain for his incredible work rate
the fabled La Decima - a tenth Champions League triumph - eluded Real Madrid during his four-year stint
winning the LaLiga title in 2007 before leaving for LA Galaxy
Since Beckham hung up his boots in 2013 he has continued to have several endorsement deals; including the likes of Adidas
and played a big role in their groundbreaking deal for Lionel Messi in 2023
But the former Ballon d'Or winner endured a frustrating season at the Bernabeu
finding himself stuck behind Ronaldo and Raul
Twelve months on from Owen's £8million switch
Real Madrid doubled their money by flogging him to Newcastle
Owen then spent three years with Liverpool's rivals Man Utd
Owen signed up to be BT Sport's primary co-commentator upon the channel's launch
the former striker has enjoyed several other ventures
while he also appeared on The Masked Singer
Woodgate endured one of the most infamous debuts of all time after switching Newcastle for Real Madrid in 2004
The luckless defender went through injury hell following the £13.4m transfer
having to wait 17 months before playing his first game
the England international headed into his own net
Things then got even worse when he was sent off just after the hour mark
before a loan move to Middlesbrough effectively ended his Real Madrid career
Woody earned a move to Tottenham in January 2008
He won the League Cup barely a month later
and remains the last Spurs player to score a winning goal in a cup final
Following spells with Stoke and back at Middlesbrough
returned to Middlesbrough once again in 2022
where he works as a first team coach under Michael Carrick
England superstar Bellingham sealed a blockbuster £115m transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid in the summer of 2023
with the midfielder immediately excelling in Spain
and went on net five times in his first four LaLiga matches
The image of the 21-year-old with his arms outstretched has quickly become an iconic one
Birmingham's finest has already won LaLiga and the Champions League during his young career
And with Alexander-Arnold soon to be alongside him
Bellingham will feel that he can add plenty more to his already impressive trophy tally
Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/
Trent Alexander-Arnold was willing to sign a contract extension at Anfield
with a trusted reporter detailing the crippling misstep Liverpool made
Alexander-Arnold is heading to Real Madrid
with the right-back confirming on Monday morning that he’s leaving his boyhood club
Fabrizio Romano gave a switch to the Bernabeu his signature “here we go” confirmation
while Paul Joyce and David Ornstein have both pointed towards the Spanish capital
When providing greater context on the move, The Times’ Paul Joyce – widely regarded as the No 1 journalist on all matters Liverpool – revealed why the right-back is leaving
Joyce claimed Alexander-Arnold was seeking the one thing Liverpool cannot offer – a fresh challenge in football
the reporter also claimed there was a time when Alexander-Arnold would have gladly put pen to paper on an extension
the club failed to strike when the iron was hot and the end result is they’ll now lose a highly saleable asset for nothing
Joyce wrote: ‘The safe option [for Alexander-Arnold] would have been to sign another deal at Liverpool (although an unmotivated player on a long deal would have become a problem)
and there was a time when Alexander-Arnold did not envisage anything else
‘The 2022-23 campaign had proved a difficult one for him although
he felt revitalised by the hybrid role Klopp had asked him to perform when shifting from right back into midfield and conducting the play
‘All of Liverpool’s previous contract dealings with Alexander-Arnold indicated they would have come to the negotiating table that summer when he had two years left and the background noise about Real Madrid’s interest was already audible
‘Perhaps they wanted to see whether his form could be maintained but
there was not the same intent from the club
‘A delay can also be explained by the fact it coincided with a period of unprecedented flux behind the scenes
‘Julian Ward stood down just a year after succeeding Michael Edwards as sporting director
the president of Fenway Sports Group (FSG)
and soon into the new campaign Klopp doubted whether he had the appetite to continue
Klopp privately informed Gordon in November 2023 he would be leaving at the end of that season
and appointing a new hierarchy became the priority
The appointment of Richard Hughes as sporting director accelerated discussions
his very first call was to Alexander-Arnold’s representatives in April 2024 and a formal offer was presented that month after Slot’s appointment
‘Hughes inherited what one colleague described as a “s!@* sandwich”
but is understood to have handled the situation impressively
There has been no animosity at the prospect of a valuable asset leaving for nothing
‘If the argument can be made that Liverpool were slow to talk terms then
there has been a sense in recent months that whatever was presented would not have been enough to entice the player to stay.’
Real Madrid had originally hoped to bring Alexander-Arnold on board in time to feature in the Club World Cup
The revamped and expanded tournament gets underway on June 14 and the entirety of Real’s group phase campaign takes place in June
That posed a problem for Los Blancos given Alexander-Arnold’s contract doesn’t expire until June 30
There has been talk of Real Madrid being willing to pay a small transfer fee
However, David Ornstein claimed Alexander-Arnold’s contract is set to be valid from July
meaning he would not be signed and registered in time to feature in the group stage
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The Trent Alexander-Arnold saga is finally over. He’s just confirmed that he’ll be departing Liverpool at the end of the 2024-25 campaign when his current deal expires
Alexander-Arnold will wave goodbye to his boyhood club having won a second Premier League title to go with his Champions League
He’s notched 23 goals and 92 assists in 352 appearances for the Reds
We’ve identified five potential options that Liverpool can target to replace Alexander-Arnold this summer
This is the one attracting the most tabloid gossip
The Manchester City academy graduate has developed into a brilliant footballer
one of the standout superstars of Xabi Alonso’s Invincible Bundesliga champions last term
He notched nine goals and seven assists as Bayer Leverkusen ended Bayern’s era of domestic dominance
The one question mark is whether he’d be quite as impressive as a traditional full-back outside of Alonso’s system
in which he operated more like a flying winger
Watching Inter and Barcelona’s madcap Champions League semi-final the other night
we were left with the feeling that people will be talking about Lamine Yamal’s performance for years to come
But who was named UEFA’s Man of the Match that evening
The Netherlands international set up Marcus Thuram’s inspired opener after just 30 seconds before demonstrating his set-piece prowess by scoring their second and third
Dumfries would offer experience and serious
he’d also be the right kind of profile that doesn’t completely block Conor Bradley’s opportunities and pathway into the first team
What might be best for Liverpool is bringing in a proven
dependable player that can serve for two or three seasons while Bradley continues to learn the ropes and shake off his injury niggles
The Inter full-back would fit the bill on that front
We’re not entirely sure about this one
given Tottenham’s struggles this season
But according to FBref‘s complex statistical algorithm
the Spain international is the closest right-back in terms of profile to Alexander-Arnold across European football over the past 365 days
and actually has as many Premier League assists (six) as Liverpool’s homegrown hero this season
There are similar question marks over his defending
but Liverpool haven’t done too badly with Alexander-Arnold in recent times gone by
Put Porro in a more functional team and he might just thrive
The fact that Manchester City have been seriously linked tells you there’s a player there
we’re (obviously) completely aware that De Bruyne is not a right-back
You’ve seen that famous ‘Moneyball’ scene
you’re still trying to replace Giambi,” says Billy Beane
played by Brad Pitt in the glossy Hollywood adaptation
what we might be able to do is re-create him
but more importantly there’s a void of creativity to fill
Alexander-Arnold is one of the most prolific assisters in the Premier League in recent years
They’re not going to find another full-back with his passing range
De Bruyne might be the only player with a more impressive playmaking highlights reel in the Premier League over the last 10 years
Says he “still has a lot to give” and is open to remaining in the Premier League
His kids go to the same school as Virgil van Dijk’s and his family could remain settled where they are
Alexander Arnold’s departure leaves some wiggle room when it comes to wages and Liverpool could probably do with more depth in midfield as things are
A two-year deal would make a weird amount of sense
READ: De Bruyne to Liverpool!? 6 Premier League transfers that messed with our head
This one wouldn’t get the blood pumping among the kind of modern-day fanatics who spent their summer refreshing Fabrizio Romano’s Twitter feed
The 28-year-old has been among the Premier League’s best right-backs this season
one of Nottingham Forest’s most reliable individuals as they punch above well their weight to challenge for Champions League qualification
Aina would by no means elevate Slot’s first team
but he’d be the kind of unglamorous but solid addition that are the unheralded backbone of successful squads required to compete on multiple fronts
although there are suggestions Forest hold a one-year extension option
so scrimping on a right-back might not be the worst idea
Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters is also out of contract at the end of the season and would offer an alternative option if Liverpool are looking to bulk out their Slot’s squad while promoting Bradley to a more prominent place in the pecking order
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Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler believes his former club should break with tradition and sign an experienced 18-cap England frontman to lead their attack next season
having explained why Arne Slot will have to reluctantly walk away from a deal for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak
The Merseysiders are still in dreamland after wrapping up the Premier League title with four games to spare, capping off what has been a truly magnificent first season at Anfield for Slot. But with the Dutchman keen to put his own stamp down on the side and create a long-lasting dynasty at Liverpool
Slot has been cleared to spend big money on player upgrades this summer
With TEAMtalk transfer insider Fraser Fletcher first breaking news in February of a likely £200m budget and what sources described to him as a ‘historic summer’
we have been told that the Liverpool priorties this summer will focus on three positions: a long-term heir for Virgil van Dijk
a left-back to ultimately take the place of Andy Robertson
and a new striker capable of scoring goals and who can take some of the burden off Mo Salah’s shoulders
The hunt for a new No.9 is certainly an intriguing one
Slot’s dream signing is understood to be Newcastle frontman Isak
The Swede has enjoyed another excellent season
scoring 26 times in 39 appearances and delivering the sort of performances that make him one of the world’s most coveted strikers
with Newcastle likely to demand a fee in excess of £130m – comfortably a new British record – Liverpool are likely to find themselves priced out of a move
But speaking to The i, Fowler has encouraged the Reds to break with tradition and move to sign Aston Villa frontman Ollie Watkins instead
“The problem is clubs know that they are potentially on the lookout for a number nine
so the prices will become silly,” Fowler began
Liverpool’s transfer model sees them sign players who are still to enter their peak years; making superstars
Fowler is encouraging a move for 29-year-old Watkins
who has 171 goals from 466 career appearances
“You could look at Ollie Watkins,” Fowler adds
“He doesn’t really fit the model in terms of what Liverpool want
but I’d go and get him for a couple of years because he’s a tremendous player and established and experienced in the Premier League.”
READ MORE 🔴 Ten strikers on Liverpool radar Slot could turn to as Darwin Nunez upgrade
While Aston Villa had no hesitation rejecting a cheeky lowball offer from Arsenal in January for Watkins
a summer sale could yet be on the cards if Unai Emery’s side are presented with an attractive offer for the 18-times capped England striker
And with the Midlanders looking to reinvest in their squad to help fund deals for several top targets – loanee Marcus Rashford among them – Watkins could find himself a surprise victim of Emery and Monchi’s plans to establish Villa as one of English football’s leading clubs
while he is a player of interest to the Reds
they are instead expected to pursue a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike instead
though could seek a fee as high as €100m (£85m
the wiry 6ft 3in frontman is now the striker the Reds are ‘most interested in’ this summer
In a Q&A in the Daily Mail
the journalist replied: “Hugo Ekitike is the name that pops up the most when I speak to people
so I think it is fair to say he is one to keep a close eye on
“The France Under 21 star has scored 19 goals and made eight assists for Eintracht Frankfurt this season and ticks a lot of boxes in terms of his age profile and experience – he is playing every week in a top league and has European experience
Meanwhile, Liverpool are reported to have sanctioned Trent Alexander-Arnold’s early departure to Real Madrid before his deal is due to officially expire with the move to net the Reds a welcome financial boost – while Richard Hughes has also held talks over a deal for a top Brazilian star tipped as his replacement
Elsewhere, Liverpool have named their price to allow Caoimhin Kelleher to leave Anfield this summer
Leeds and Chelsea all learning his likely next destination
And finally, Slot has also given the green light for Liverpool to reward one of their lowest-earning first-team stars with a new mega-money deal after convincing the Reds boss he is worth keeping around
Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he is leaving Liverpool and with a Real Madrid agreement now in place
a top source has revealed the reasoning behind the switch
Football’s worst kept secret is now out in the open, with Alexander-Arnold confirming his time at Liverpool will conclude this summer
The right-back broke the news on his social media accounts, while trusted journalists, Paul Joyce, David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano all stated his future lays with Real Madrid
Taking to X, Romano wrote: “BREAKING: Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid
“Decision to leave Liverpool now confirmed as Trent says goodbye to the club after winning one more PL title
“Documents being prepared for Trent to join Real Madrid on a 5 year contract
Ornstein stated: “Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool when his contract expires this summer
“Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid as a free agent
with sources in Spain — speaking anonymously to protect relationships — suggesting a proposed six-year agreement
to join the La Liga side has now entered its final stages and is on course to be signed in the coming weeks.”
But it was The Times’ Paul Joyce who offered perhaps the most intriguing angle on the tale when clarifying why Alexander-Arnold is leaving…
Alexander-Arnold can win the biggest prizes in the game at Anfield and if staying
could have gone on to book his place as one of Liverpool’s all-time greats
Joyce stated the one thing Alexander-Arnold craves is the one thing Liverpool cannot offer – a new challenge
Joyce wrote: “Alexander-Arnold is not departing because he has fallen out of love with the club he joined at the age of six or because he believes they will not continue to be successful under the head coach Arne Slot
he would like to go back to Anfield and watch as a supporter
he simply wants to try something totally new and fresh
That is the one thing Liverpool could not offer
“In his family’s executive box at Anfield
there is a chart on the wall that chronicles Alexander-Arnold’s progress while also providing a nod and a wink to his shirt number
“Under the heading “Route 66” it shows milestones ranging from his first session at the club’s academy to captaining the Under-16s
a first goal through to being nominated for the Ballon d’Or
There are 38 landmarks in total and that only takes him through to December 2020
“By the age of 23 years and 219 days
Alexander-Arnold had done it all with Liverpool
The youngest player at an English club ever to complete that set
“Slot has challenged him since succeeding Jürgen Klopp
trying to make him better defensively and refining his role
He has ensured the managerial transition has been successful and there would be goals to achieve next term
it would essentially be about conquering what has come to feel familiar
Walking into a different dressing room and
having to prove himself again to a set of teammates and coaches
Forget about the friendship with his England team-mate Jude Bellingham being a deciding factor.”
Cole Palmer finally ends his 18-game goal drought as confident Blues see off the champions in massive win at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea vs Liverpool LIVE
Chelsea produced arguably their best win of the season so far on Sunday as much-changed champions Liverpool were defeated 3-1 at Stamford Bridge
Cole Palmer ended his long goal drought that had stood at 18 games across all competitions with a last-gasp penalty to set the seal on a momentous victory after Moises Caicedo had been fouled inside the box by Jarell Quansah
A late header from a corner from Virgil van Dijk had set up a nervy finish in west London, halving Chelsea’s lead after the Liverpool captain had earlier inadvertently seen a clearance hit Quansah and bounce in for an unfortunate own goal. The Blues led after only three minutes when Enzo Fernandez finished off a sweeping move involving Romeo Lavia, Palmer and Pedro Neto, scoring Chelsea’s earliest home Premier League goal since 2017
The result took Enzo Maresca’s resurgent side level on points with Newcastle in fourth
with a massive game to come at St James’ Park next weekend in the battle for a top-five finish after the home second leg of their Conference League semi-final tie against Djurgarden
will look to bounce back against former title rivals Arsenal at Anfield
Follow Chelsea vs Liverpool reaction live below
97 mins: The long goal drought is over and a huge three points for Chelsea guaranteed as Alisson dives the right way but hasn’t got a chance of keeping out Palmer’s pacey penalty
95 mins: Chelsea are going to see this out with a number of bitty fouls breaking up play and now Bradley getting into it
Quansah fouls Caicedo and Chelsea have a last-gasp penalty at the death
92 mins: Gary Neville names Cole Palmer as his man of the match on Sky Sports
despite that goal drought looking set to extend once again
90 mins: Chelsea force a corner but their big threats from defence are wisely told to stay at home by Maresca
We will have FIVE added minutes at Stamford Bridge
Standard Sport’s Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
Not sure Enzo Fernandez is the player I’d be taking off here
He’s Chelsea’s best midfielder in terms of ball retention and knows a trick or two when it comes to slowing things down and wasting time
88 mins: Chelsea captain Reece James replaces Fernandez
86 mins: Chelsea try to quickly restore their two-goal cushion as Palmer’s curling strike forces a save from Alisson before Neto lashes into row z
85 mins: A nervy finish ahead at Stamford Bridge as Van Dijk is again left in way too much space to power home a header from Mac Allister’s corner
Arsenal are ready to make a ‘massive offer’ to sign West Ham attacking midfielder Mohamed Kudus in the summer transfer window
The Gunners are on the lookout for a new attacking options ahead of the summer transfer market after their goals dried up slightly in the second half of the season
Liverpool were confirmed as Premier League champions eight days ago with four games to spare after they beat Tottenham 5-1
Arsenal have now turned their full attention to the Champions League with Mikel Arteta’s side facing Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday evening attempting to overturn a one goal deficit in the second leg of their semi-final
As well as concentrating on the Champions League
they have turned focus on to finding new players to improve Arteta’s starting XI ahead of next season
Arsenal have been playing midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker in recent months after both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz picked up season-ending injuries in the early part of the year
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have also spent time out of the side with injury this season and now Arteta sees the need for attacking improvements ahead of the summer
It is likely that they will bring in a new centre-forward but a new winger or attacking midfielder is also on the agenda and a report in Spanish website Fichajes insists that Arsenal are ‘preparing’ a ‘massive offer’ for West Ham star Kudus
Kudus can play anywhere across the attacking line with his best performances coming off the left-hand side this season
The Ghana international has been identified by Arsenal ‘as an ideal asset to boost their quality’ and are ‘willing to make a significant financial commitment to secure his services.’
Sources ‘close to the player haven’t ruled out a change of scenery’ in the summer transfer window as the West Ham attacker ‘feels the time has come to take a step forward and become part of a more ambitious project’
A potential move to Arsenal ‘fits with his sporting aspirations
as well as his desire to remain in the English capital’ while the ‘figure being considered for the possible transfer is around 70 million euros
a considerable but affordable investment for the Emirates Stadium team’
It is understood that there have been no formal moves but West Ham ‘know that retaining the Ghanaian will be a difficult task if Arsenal’s interest ultimately materialises’
Liverpool are also reportedly interested with former Manchester United and Tottenham scout Mick Brown insisting Kudus “wants to make that move” to Anfield
Brown told Football Insider last week: “Liverpool have been looking at Mohammed Kudus
“He wants to make that move and will jump at the opportunity if an offer arrives
He scored his first goal of the year against Brighton
and all season he’s only got four – for a player of his ability and talent
“The way he plays is going to catch your eye
but for most of the game he’s not doing enough
“I think that’s the conclusion Liverpool will come to
as will other clubs who have been watching
“He certainly isn’t doing enough to convince these clubs it would be worth spending £80million on him.”
Leaving a club the size of Liverpool is a huge decision for any footballer – and this lot all came to regret their choice to leave Anfield
As Trent Alexander-Arnold announces his decision to move to Real Madrid
many former Reds will be reflecting on their own decision to leave prematurely
We’ve picked out 11 players who should’ve stayed at Liverpool with the benefit of hindsight
but the formation of Jurgen Klopp’s great all-conquering Liverpool team can probably be traced back to the sale of Coutinho in 2018
Having received £200million for Neymar six months previously
Barcelona panicked and splurged a huge proportion of that world-record fee on signing Coutinho
Liverpool reinvested the cash they received far more wisely by using the cash they received for the Brazilian playmaker to bring in game-changers Virgil van Dijk and Alisson
capable of producing extraordinary moments
But he was never able to recapture that at the Camp Nou
from Aston Villa speaks volumes about how things have gone for him
Wijnaldum was a key cog in a Liverpool midfield that won the Champions League and Premier League in successive seasons
Part of a wider theme here with players Jurgen Klopp got the best out of
Wijnaldum sought a new challenge when his contract expired in 2021 and reportedly rejected Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona for better wages at PSG
He failed to impress in Paris and was loaned out to Jose Mourinho’s Roma after just one season
But he suffered a broken leg and failed to kick on at the Stadio Olimpico
he’s turning out as the captain of Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League
Surely he’d have been better served staying at Anfield
Torres left Liverpool and went on to win the Champions League
scoring one of the most iconic goals in Chelsea’s recent history at the Camp Nou and sealing their spot in the 2012 final in the process
El Nino was never the same player in Chelsea blue as he was in Liverpool red
he looked unrecognisable to the fearless forward who used to bully Nemanja Vidic for sport
Torres scored 81 goals in 145 appearances for Liverpool
but only 45 goals in 172 outings for the Blues
Owen still defends both his decision to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid in 2004 and his goal tally during his short-lived time in Spain
Sixteen goals from a season in which he saw limited game time isn’t as bad as you might think
But Liverpool won the Champions League immediately after the striker departed and you can divide Owen’s career into two distinct categories: his time at Anfield and his time after
The first where he was one of the world’s best strikers and scoring goals for fun
and the latter where he was serviceable at best for Madrid
recurring hamstring injuries probably have more to do with that than the team he happened to be representing
Fowler wasn’t just a player; he was ‘God’
the striker became an unquestionable Liverpool legend
netting a whopping 120 Premier League goals in just 236 appearances
who preferred the more prosaic Emile Heskey as Owen’s strike partner
His time at Elland Road was followed by a spell with Manchester City
with Fowler not quite recapturing the magic of his Liverpool days
A return to Anfield in 2006 was an admittance from the player and perhaps the club that ‘God’ should never have been allowed to leave
Crouch has previously confessed that leaving Liverpool for Portsmouth in 2008 was the ‘biggest club regret’ of his career
admitting he would’ve loved to have been a ‘one-club man’
“It would have been brilliant to be a one-club man or to spend 10 years at a particular place,” the former England striker told the Daily Mail in 2020
“My biggest club regret is leaving Liverpool too early
but circumstances meant I had little option.”
Seeing the likes of Andriy Voronin and David Ngog lead the line 18 months later stung
I couldn’t help but think I left too early,” Crouch admitted
Mane is only three months older than Mohamed Salah
while the Egyptian King continues to tear it up for Liverpool
Mane soon dropped off the footballing map completely after leaving Anfield in 2022
His move to Bayern Munich was nothing short of a disaster
he was unceremoniously shipped out to the Saudi Pro League
The Senegal international might be pottering along for Al-Ittihad
but surely he could’ve played for Liverpool for a few more years at least
Informed by Jurgen Klopp that he would no longer be one of the first names on the team-sheet after an indifferent 2022-23 campaign
Henderson decided it was time to seek pastures new
Those pastures turned out to be in the Middle East
as Henderson moved to Saudi Arabia to reunite with Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq
The move would be a disaster for the midfielder
shredding his previous reputation as an LGBTQ ally and only lasting six months before scampering back to Europe
Henderson now plays for Ajax and is on the verge of captaining the Dutch giants to the Eredivisie title
READ: Jordan Henderson & 7 other footballers that absolutely f*cked it with ill-advised transfers
Despite being offered a new contract at Liverpool in 2018, the German midfielder rejected the extension and signed a bumper deal with Juventus instead.
“I had a lot of offers from very good teams,” Can said at the time.
“I decided to come to Juventus because I think the project here is very big. They have very big aims. I want to be part of the project here.”
Ultimately, the move didn’t really work out and Can had to watch from afar as the Reds won the Champions League and Premier League over the next two seasons.
Rush never really settled at Juventus, although that famous “it was like living in a foreign country” line is by all accounts apocryphal.
Liverpool’s all-time top goalscorer believes that his short stint in Italy actually improved him as a footballer for his second wildly prolific spell on Merseyside.
“At Juventus I learned to be a better all-round player,” Rush told FourFourTwo.
“I went to Italy as a goalscorer and came back a better footballer. At Liverpool, because we had such a great team, my job was just to be in and around the box.
“In Italy I was around the pitch more, getting back to the halfway line and everything.”
That’s fair enough. But he only scored seven Serie A goals, never won anything with Italy’s most dominant force, and surely wouldn’t have returned to Liverpool so soon if he’d delivered in Turin.
If you’re not counting Juve, you can count Leeds after his second Anfield farewell.
He only scored three Premier League goals for the Yorkshire club in an instantly forgettable footnote to a remarkable career.
With 23 England caps under his belt, Barmby was part of that golden Liverpool era around the millennium when the Reds won an unprecedented cup treble.
In 2002, at the peak of his powers, Barmby swapped Anfield for Elland Road, inking a deal with Leeds United.
He’d joined Leeds at just the wrong time; the bankrupt Yorkshire outfit were relegated two years later with Barmby having made just 25 appearances.
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The right-back is expected to join Real Madrid at the conclusion of his contract at Anfield
Trent Alexander-Arnold has decided to leave Liverpool at the end of the season when his contract at Anfield finishes
The right-back, who is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer
came to the conclusion he wants a new challenge after two decades with his hometown club
Alexander-Arnold had been in discussions with Liverpool about a new deal but whereas Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah signed contract extensions to remain at Anfield
The 26-year-old feels he wants to test himself in a different environment after winning everything at Liverpool, he said in a video message published on Monday explaining his decision
While Liverpool offered a contract that would have made Alexander-Arnold one if the best-paid full-backs in world football
Sporting director Richard Hughes had made talks with Alexander-Arnold a priority and first made contact before taking charge. However, he was unable to strike a deal and the England international informed manager Arne Slot of his decision after a final meeting in the spring
Alexander-Arnold, who made his debut and became vice-captain under Jurgen Klopp, enjoyed working for Slot and held the Dutchman in high esteem
Real made an offer for Alexander-Arnold just before the January transfer window opened
No deal with the 15-time champions of Europe has been formalised and he is yet to put pen to paper
but it is likely he will be at the Bernabeu next season
Alexander-Arnold clinched his second Premier League title with Liverpool last week to add to the Champions League
He made his first-team bow in 2016 and has gone on to play 352 games, scoring 23 goals, the most recent of them at Leicester two weeks ago.
His departure could mean Conor Bradley gets the chance to become Liverpool’s regular right-back or that Slot has to go into the transfer market.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season
saying he needs a “new change” and a “new challenge.”
Alexander-Arnold has finally owned his decision and confirmed he will be leaving his boyhood club this summer
ending months of speculation over his future
The 26-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season and he has taken to his social media platforms to announce his decision
Alexander-Arnold said: “I think first and foremost
I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this… pic.twitter.com/emAw5RvXq0
— Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) May 5, 2025
And I think now is the right time for me to do that.”
A free transfer to Real Madrid will loom
bringing to end an what would have been a legendary career at Anfield after more than 350 appearances and winning every trophy possible with the Reds
In a message to the fans via the club
he said: “There’s a lot I would like to say
You guys have been there from the start with me
the noise [around my decision] doesn’t take away from the fact of what we’ve achieved this season.”
Liverpool could stand to bring in fee for their No. 66 if Real Madrid want him to play in the newly expanded Club World Cup this summer
The issue is that the Club World Cup runs from June 14 to July 13
meaning Real’s group stage clashes with Al-Hilal
Pachuca and Salzburg will be held while the right-back is still under contract at Liverpool
Real would therefore need to negotiate a payout with Liverpool if they are to release Alexander-Arnold from his contract early
This may simply be a case of buying out the final month of his contract
which would be worth in the region of £800,000 to £1 million
but there is certainly a case to argue that the Reds could demand more on top
England star earns man-of-the-match honours after finally ending long goal drought
but he lavishes praise on ‘dream’ team-mate
Cole Palmer has hailed Moises Caicedo as Chelsea’s best performer this season after their vital win over Liverpool
Both players were crucial to Sunday’s 3-1 victory over the much-changed champions at Stamford Bridge
a third in a row in the top-flight for the resurgent fifth-place Blues to take them level on points with Newcastle in fourth ahead of next weekend’s potentially pivotal trip to St James’ Park
Chelsea also now have the exact same goal difference as Newcastle in the battle for Champions League qualification and remain behind them on goals scored only after the Magpies’ eventful 1-1 draw at mid-table Brighton earlier on Sunday in which Alexander Isak netted a late equaliser from the penalty spot
Sixth-place Nottingham Forest can join that duo on 63 points if they win away at FA Cup finalists Crystal Palace on Monday night
with Chelsea travelling to the City Ground on the final day of the season after a visit from Manchester United
Aston Villa are on 60 points in seventh and still very much in the fierce top-five race themselves after edging past Fulham on Saturday
while Manchester City are only a point ahead of Chelsea in third after beating Wolves and Arsenal three points further on in second after losing at home to Bournemouth
As well as providing another boost to Chelsea’s Champions League hopes
the win over Liverpool was also notable for Palmer finally ending a well-documented goal drought that had lasted for 18 matches across all competitions - dating back to the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in mid-January - as he stepped up to confidently dispatch a last-gasp penalty that settled nerves among the home contingent
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Virgil van Dijk’s late header from a corner had looked to set up a grandstand finish after Enzo Fernandez’s third-minute strike - the fastest league goal scored at Stamford Bridge since 2017 - was followed by an unfortunate own goal from Jarell Quansah that saw Van Dijk’s attempted clearance clatter into him and in
While pundits and fans alike waxed lyrical over man-of-the-match Palmer’s performance against Liverpool
the all-action midfielder who delivered another impactful display from right-back including winning the stoppage-time penalty after being moved into the middle and fouled by Quansah
“When you’ve got him next to you it’s a dream really,” Palmer told Sky Sports of Caicedo’s impact for Chelsea
From the start of the season until now I think he’s been our best player
The compliment was quickly returned by Caicedo
who was effusive in his praise of Palmer for continuing to play an important role for Chelsea even when the goals had dried up in the first real prolonged blip of his otherwise outstanding Blues career
he helped us a lot even when he didn’t score
He’s a great guy and deserves everything.”
Told it seemed like he did not agree with himself being named as the man of the match against Liverpool
In what was one of his standout appearances in a Chelsea shirt so far
helping control the midfield battle while boasting a flawless passing display
not misplacing a single pass during his time on the pitch against the Reds
Supporters on the Chelsea Official App also voted him second for the Player of the Match prize, only missing out to Cole Palmer, while the midfielder received praise from head coach Enzo Maresca
as the Italian explained that the Blues are a ‘better team’ with Romeo involved
Speaking after the game, the Belgian midfielder was quick to credit the team with goals from Enzo Fernandez
handing the Blues all three crucial points
‘It’s a great result,’ the 21-year-old opened
‘We have been very focused on what we have to do
so it was good to see that the plan we had worked out well
‘My goal for the whole season was to be with the team and help them as much as I can
I’m pleased I’ve been able to do it [against Liverpool]
I take it game by game and I’m enjoying every moment
control and composure in midfield allowed attacking players like Cole Palmer to be extremely effective against Liverpool
and the Belgian was keen to praise the talent exhibited by our No
so you can’t really see a difference on his face,’ he laughed
Lavia acknowledged that the win marks another step forward for the Blues with Maresca’s side now unbeaten in the Premier League since the start of April
but he added that the squad will remain grounded in our quest for Champions League qualification
and we have another big one on Thursday [against Djurgarden],’ he said
but I think we just have to focus on each game
Chelsea aided their hopes of Champions League qualification with an excellent win over the champions
This game was very important. Liverpool forced us to defend deep, something that we don’t like to do. But they are so good. We planned the game, trying to be aggressive. But they forced us into a different plan and we adapted quite well.
I am very impressed with my players. It is not easy to play man-to-man. If we finish top five, everyone is thinking they are doing well, but I am impressed with them [regardless].
For sure, Chelsea has to fight for Champions League. Hopefully in the future it can be for something more important.
1d ago19.47 CESTHere the xG, if you’re into that sort of thing.
1d ago19.46 CESTChelsea’s Cole Palmer speaks to the cameras:
Liverpool are champions for a reason but I think we had desire and good fight and we edged them. Shit happens, obviously I went three months without scoring, but it just gave me more motivation to keep working. Social media is just full of idiots but I just want to help my team.
You feel like you’re letting your team down when you miss chances. I’ve had doubters all my life, it doesn’t bother me. I was trying things today, first-time passes. I felt normal today.
1d ago19.41 CESTIn other news, London City Lionesses have been promoted to the Women’s Super League after a dramatic final day in the Women’s Championship.
Cucurella and Madueke were the standout players
Not sure how deeply we need to look into that Liverpool defeat. Their mentality was poor today, but that is not unexpected after the highs of last week. Slot rung the changes, and just as he did against Plymouth in the FA Cup in February, Liverpool did not gel.
1d ago19.28 CESTThis is what that result does to the league table. Chelsea are now three points clear of Forest and Villa and will watch on with interest as Forest take on Palace on Monday night.
1d ago19.25 CESTFull-time: Chelsea 3-1 LiverpoolThe champions are beaten!
1d ago19.25 CESTGOAL
Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool (Palmer pen 90+7)Palmer caps a wonderful display by passing the ball to Alisson’s right
Liverpool’s goalkeeper guesses right but can’t reach the penalty
1d ago19.22 CEST90+4 min: Salah is so far short of his normal exceptional standards today. The man can’t trap a beanbag today.
1d ago19.18 CEST90 min: Corner to Chelsea
then take it short and immediately lose possession of the ball
Five minutes added on for Liverpool to get an equaliser.
1d ago19.17 CEST89 min: Chelsea make another change: goalscorer Fernandez off for Reece James.
1d ago19.16 CEST87 min: Chelsea so easily could be 3-0 up but now they face an anxious last few minutes to secure the three points, which are so precious in the race for Champions League qualification.
1d ago19.15 CESTGOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool (Van Dijk 85)How bizarre! Chelsea fail to mark Van Dijk from a corner
and the Dutchman has a completely free run to meet the cross
Chelsea also made a change: Lavia off, Gusto on. Caicedo will go into midfield, Gusto to right back.
1d ago19.13 CEST81 min: Palmer hits the post
The England midfielder ghosts past Bradley to the byline
indicate he is going to pull the ball back to a teammate but Palmer instead shoots from the tightest of angles
Alisson is completely out of position but the ball rebounds out off the far post and to safety
1d ago19.05 CEST73 min: Chelsea have fallen into a mid/low block, and Liverpool are enjoying plenty of possession
and now have Szoboszlai and Mac Allister on the ball
I should say that there were some other chants from Chelsea fans: ‘always the victim’. Grim.
1d ago19.03 CEST71 min: Chelsea respond with a change of their own: Jadon Sancho replaces Nicolas Jackson. That means Madueke will go to the right and Neto will play as a central striker.
1d ago19.01 CEST69 min: Some substitutions to tell you about: Liverpool take Elliott and Endo off for Mac Allister and Szoboszlai.
1d ago18.57 CEST65 min: Which is taken by Elliott and blasted straight into the Chelsea wall.
1d ago18.54 CEST63 min: Chelsea supporters have started singing about Steve Gerrard and Demba Ba, I am obliged to report.
1d ago18.51 CEST59 min: Slot makes a double change, maybe 14 minutes too late. Nunez on for Jota, Bradley on for Alexander-Arnold.
with the ball rebounding straight into the net
1d ago18.42 CEST52 min: Groands from the Chelsea fans as Jackson is caught offside from a Madueke pass. It’s not clear if they are annoyed at the late timing of the latter’s pass, or Jackson’s errant run. Maybe both.
1d ago18.33 CESTPeeeeeeeep!We’re back underway at Stamford Bridge. Both sides are unchanged, which is a little surprising (for Liverpool).
Updated at 18.34 CEST1d ago18.19 CESTHalf-time reading:
Updated at 18.21 CEST1d ago18.17 CEST45 min: One minute added on for stoppage time. This half has flown by.
1d ago18.16 CEST41 min: Palmer finds a nice pocket of space on the right side of Chelsea’s midfield and releases Neto and the winger slaloms right and left before cutting inside Tsimikas and shooting low into the near side netting. Had that been inside the post, I don’t think Alisson was getting there!
Liverpool make six changes for today’s Premier League clash at Chelsea.
The champions hand starts to Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsimikas and Jarell Quansah also come into the Reds’ line-up for the penultimate away trip of the 2024-25 season.
Liverpool: Alisson, Endo, Van Dijk, Salah, Jones, Gakpo, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah.
Subs: Kelleher, Konate, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Robertson, Bradley.
Carragher is not expecting Alexander-Arnold to receive warm welcome when he returns to Anfield
Jamie Carragher has warned Trent Alexander-Arnold that his legacy at Liverpool will be tarnished by his decision to leave the club
The 26-year-old announced on Monday that he will bring an end to his time at Liverpool this summer, leaving as a free agent when his contract expires
It is expected that Alexander-Arnold will join Real Madrid
and Carragher believes that the “simmering resentment” some Liverpool fans feel towards that is justified
“What is gained in the short-term can be sacrificed in terms of a legacy once a career is over
and although it might sound like a cliché to say you are “part of family” once you are loved by the fans of the biggest
it is true,” Carragher said in his column for The Telegraph
“There are many examples of truly great players who gave stellar service everywhere they went but no longer feel emotionally attached to anyone
because supporters will differentiate between those perceived to be putting the club first in the ongoing fight to take on the superpower of Real Madrid
and those who were accused of thinking about their own career.”
Alexander-Arnold confirms Liverpool decision with emotional statement
Palmer ends long goal drought as Chelsea beat champions Liverpool
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said he wanted a “new challenge” but that “his love for this club will never die”
Carragher pointed to comments from the defender earlier his career when he spoke of his desire to become Liverpool captain and how he had never considered leaving the club
“Different players have different characteristics and ambitions,” Carragher said
“Liverpool fans did not think Alexander-Arnold saw his path in the same way as [Michael] Owen and [Davd] Beckham because he said his dream was to captain the club and follow his hero Gerrard
Alexander-Arnold won eight major honours as a Liverpool player
including two Premier League titles and the Champions League
but Carragher believes that will all be forgotten when the right-back returns to Anfield with another club
“I love seeing a Liverpool-born lad doing so well he will play for Real Madrid,” Carragher said
“Part of me thinks ‘well done’ but the competitive element in me also thinks swapping Liverpool red for Real Madrid white means he has chosen to become a rival
“It means the next time he is at Anfield he will receive the same treatment as Luis Suarez when he returned to Merseyside in a Barcelona shirt.”
Liverpool’s eighth and biggest defeat of the season also tightened Chelsea’s grip on that precious fifth Champions League spot
and if we glimpsed anything here it was perhaps the growing ability of Enzo Maresca’s side to ride out the tough periods and make their moments of supremacy matter
A very early goal by Enzo Fernández set the tone; a deeply comical own goal by Jarell Quansah doubled their lead
and Cole Palmer’s penalty with almost the final kick made the points safe
Liverpool had 65% possession and beyond Virgil van Dijk’s valedictory late header
it’s hard to recall a single thing they did with it
Arne Slot rotated heavily and in the process reminded us why he doesn’t rotate more often
It is rare for a champion team to be met with the resounding consensus that it needs to be broken up and rebuilt as soon as possible
as Liverpool’s second-string midfield returned Chelsea’s guard of honour with one of their own
There is of course partial mitigation to be found in the weird post-title vibes
stacked in the wrong place and faintly flecked with steak sauce
All season Liverpool have been laser-locked on this one singular objective
so what happens when you suddenly take it away
View image in fullscreenEnzo Fernández (far right) gives Chelsea the lead
precision has long been one of Chelsea’s main issues
the wasted chances and wasted potential reflecting those wasted millions off the pitch
And if there is at least a shape and a solidity to them now
two hard-working banks of four off the ball
then what Maresca has given in backbone he has taken in flair and fun
The upshot is that it only really takes a moment for the entire mood of the stadium to turn
Nobody ever really seems to be having a good time
The body language on the pitch is still awful
Neto needlessly headed the ball out for a corner and the crowd pretty much screeched in frustration
The good news for Chelsea was that Liverpool were more than happy to do the job for them
having long since given up on Neto outside him
simply dribbled past his team-mate on the right wing and squared it for Madueke
Wataru Endo made the initial tackle but Van Dijk’s rushed clearance smacked Quansah on the thigh and rebounded in: truly
The last half hour passed in something of a blur
Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah both missed simple headers to cut the deficit; Palmer and Jadon Sancho could easily have added a third goal
and even if Van Dijk’s late header from Alexis Mac Allister’s corner summoned up a little basic species pride
finally released from his right-back prison by the arrival of Reece James
one of the three right-backs on the Chelsea bench
Quansah wearily lunged in and brought him down
Palmer’s penalty seemed unduly freighted with tension
But he slotted the ball home safely enough to end an 18-match scoring drought
a welcome hit of confidence ahead of big tests at home and in Europe
These last four games – and we can safely write off the second leg against Djurgarden – will define Maresca’s first season at Chelsea
a season that has seen genuine changes to the style and organisation of play
And even if this is still a team prone to bizarre fits and outbursts
even if much of the Stamford Bridge crowd remains largely unsold on it
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Anfield because of the one thing the Reds can’t give him over Real Madrid
Alexander-Arnold confirmed on Monday morning that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season but decided not to mention where he is going in the summer
Widespread reports have indicated that he will be moving to Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of June with Fabrizio Romano fiving his famous ‘Here We Go!’ confirmation to the transfer
His statement announcing his departure read: “After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club
“This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years
The Athletic have revealed the ‘inside’ story and insist that Alexander-Arnold didn’t decide to leave Liverpool until March despite the ongoing speculation that he would move to Real Madrid
And Alexander-Arnold ended up ‘hurt’ as Real Madrid attempted to buy him for around £20m in the January transfer window in order to get him before the summer
He was upset by ‘accusations that he had actively encouraged the late December approach’ as ‘he was never looking to leave mid-season’
Alexander-Arnold hopes that the move to Real Madrid ‘can help unlock his full potential’ with the Liverpool academy product looking to qualify for the Ballon d’Or
Close friend Jude Bellingham will be there to help him settle in at the Bernabeu and money was never going to be the motivating factor for Alexander-Arnold’
If Alexander-Arnold was just bothered about money then he ‘would have invited offers from across Europe and considered interest from the Premier League.’
They could not give him what he wanted — a fresh challenge.’
Liverpool are poised for a pivotal summer under incoming head coach Arne Slot
who insists he is largely content with the squad inherited from Jürgen Klopp
subtle hints suggest the Dutchman is not closing the door on fresh additions—especially with murmurs growing around key positions
“It’s already a big summer because we extended Virgil [van Dijk] and Mo [Salah] and for large parts of the season
I don’t think everyone expected that,” Slot told Sky Sports following a 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge
I’ve said already that I am happy with the squad we have
but sometimes it can be good to bring fresh energy.”
Slot’s remarks offer an insight into a delicate balancing act: retain the core leadership group while rejuvenating areas that have shown signs of wear—namely
Andy Robertson’s form has dipped notably in recent months
and while his pedigree and experience remain invaluable
the growing sense is that Liverpool are weighing their options at left-back
The Bournemouth defender has impressed in his debut Premier League season
and Liverpool’s interest is neither new nor subtle
What once appeared to be speculative chatter is beginning to crystallise into something far more substantial
Kerkez’s name surfaced again over the weekend in Premier League Productions coverage, where Ian Wright and Michael Owen discussed potential summer moves involving Bournemouth’s standout talents
“That’s a talented team,” said Owen
“They’ve got some really talented players in the squad
they might just have a really difficult summer trying to shield a lot of their players away from the pack
“Liverpool might come in for Milos Kerkez,” he added
Wright’s response only heightened anticipation: “Yeah
The amount of talk we’ve been doing for so long
Such candid remarks from two former England stars have not gone unnoticed
While Wright did not confirm any deal outright
his phrasing implies significant momentum behind the scenes
Kerkez does not possess a release clause like his Bournemouth teammate Dean Huijsen
but sources suggest the south coast club are resigned to losing the Hungarian international this summer
but the noise is growing louder—and rarely without reason in today’s media landscape
the prospect of securing a 20-year-old full-back with proven top-flight experience fits both their tactical and financial model
Whether this leads to formal negotiations remains to be seen
but the signs are increasingly pointing toward Anfield
Milos Kerkez’s radar chart for the last 365 days
attack-minded full-back with standout strengths in progressive play and final-third contribution—attributes that align perfectly with Liverpool’s tactical DNA
Kerkez ranks exceptionally high for assists (79th percentile)
These metrics suggest a full-back who not only supports attacks but actively contributes to goal-scoring opportunities
His shot-creating actions (60th) and xAG (55th) reinforce the view of a player comfortable making the final or penultimate pass—key in a side like Liverpool that thrives on quick transitions and full-back overloads
Kerkez excels particularly in progressive carries (85th percentile)
showing his ability to move the ball forward with intent
He also performs well in progressive passes received (66th)
indicating intelligent positioning and movement in the attacking phase
but his lower percentile in pass completion (34th) and passes attempted (22nd) implies a high-risk
though potentially wasteful in deeper build-up play
His dribbler tackle rate (68th percentile) is impressive
demonstrating a knack for one-on-one defending
and especially clearances (5th) suggest room for improvement in traditional defensive duties
This could be down to tactical setup or role specificity at Bournemouth
where he’s often tasked with pushing higher up
Kerkez shows immense promise as an aggressive
While his defensive game may need refining
his profile fits Liverpool’s needs for dynamism and width
especially if Andy Robertson’s decline continues
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Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Real Madrid are ‘confident’ they’ll be able to get Liverpool to agree to letting go of Trent Alexander-Arnold early to benefit them greatly
Alexander-Arnold announced on May 5 his decision to leave Liverpool
It’ll bring to an end a 20-year association with the Anfield club
While he has not revealed where he’s heading, that he’ll land at Real Madrid is the worst-kept secret in football
Transfer insider Romano has revealed there’s been no announcement as Alexander-Arnold wants to focus on his final Premier League games with Liverpool
The insider has also suggested Real will get the last laugh
“The only thing to see now is whether Real Madrid will be able to reach an agreement with Liverpool to have Trent already available for the FIFA Club World Cup or not,” Romano said
Let me say that Real Madrid internally are quite confident on reaching an agreement with Liverpool for Trent to play the Club World Cup
“For sure that’s the feeling at the club
for sure it’s going to be important to follow the conversation.”
DON’T MISS: Trent Alexander-Arnold done deal: The best free-agent signings Real Madrid have ever made
If Alexander-Arnold signs for Real ahead of the Club World Cup
it could obviously aid their push for silverware
But Liverpool were expected to at least stop them from that
with fellow transfer insider David Ornstein stating: ‘Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid as a free agent
with sources in Spain – speaking anonymously to protect relationships – suggesting a proposed six-year agreement
is in the process of being completed.’
The July signing would mean Alexander-Arnold would miss the first half of the tournament
Liverpool have essentially no reason to say no to the early signing
it seems there’s a good chance Alexander-Arnold could make his first appearance in Real Madrid’s white strip in mid-June
Romano does not actually specify Real are in talks to get him from the START of the tournament
but given he’d join from July anyway – and as such be available for the knockouts – it seems unlikely he’d make the point that Real are pushing to get him for the Club World Cup if that didn’t mean from the start
A report has revealed that Real are ready to give their new signing the majority of responsibility from dead-ball situations
They are also happy to give him free rein to move into midfield
as ‘Madrid’s coaching staff consider him to be a first-class player not only as a defender but also for his ability to move into midfield and to deliver from set pieces.’
Meanwhile, a misstep from Liverpool in the decision for Alexander-Arnold to leave has been revealed. It’s been reported that he was happy to pen a new deal two years ago
But uncertainty behind the scenes meant the Reds never came to the table
Chelsea have shared a moment to forget for Trent Alexander-Arnold after his Liverpool exit was officially confirmed
The England international will leave Anfield at the end of the season after 21 years with the club
Alexander-Arnold is set to depart once his contract expires this summer
talkSPORT understands he has agreed terms on a five-year deal with Real Madrid
Just hours after Alexander-Arnold announced his exit, Chelsea took to social media to share a clip from their Premier League clash
The Blues claimed a 3-1 victory over the champions at Stamford Bridge on Sunday
However, the winger's feint dummy saw the ball run past both players as he turned and sprinted up the touchline.
Alexander-Arnold was left in Madueke's wake as he attempted to chase after his opponent.
Alongside the post, Chelsea's official X account wrote: "See yaaaaa!" with a waving hand emoji.
with one commenting: "Admin chose violence."
another poked fun at Alexander-Arnold by adding: "This can't be Trent's last Chelsea memory."
The right-back had earlier released a statement confirming his departure from Liverpool
"This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life."
"I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet
which was securing number 20 [league titles]
My love for this club will never die."
After progressing through the club's academy
Alexander-Arnold has made 352 first-team appearances for Liverpool
he has scored 23 goals and provided 92 assists from right-back
This season's Premier League title also takes his trophy haul to nine which also includes the Champions League
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-transfer move to Real Madrid from Liverpool has been confirmed – with all the details around the arrangement he will sign at the Bernabeu now coming to light – but with the Reds seemingly having managed one final act of revenge towards the Spaniards over what will ultimately prove an extremely hard-to-swallow departure
The worst-kept secret in football is now 100% official after Alexander-Arnold confirmed on Monday morning that he has taken the difficult decision to leave his boyhood club this summer after 20 years on their books. And while he stopped short of confirming a move to Real Madrid would be next
all associated with Liverpool and the watching world know exactly where he is heading
The move to the Bernabeu will end one of the longest-running transfer sagas in recent memory
The Spanish giants’ interest in signing the Reds’ vice-captain dates back a good three years
with their plans to land him at the end of his deal in summer 2025 long since known to be their grand plan
Real, of course, did try and do a deal earlier, seeing two offers for the 26-year-old rejected by Liverpool in the January window as Carlo Ancelotti’s side looked to compensate for the season-ending injury sustained by veteran defender Dani Carvajal – the man Alexander-Arnold is now expected to replace
The Spanish giants have also made it clear they wanted to bring the player in before his deal at Anfield officially expires on July 1, having asked Liverpool what it would take to bring him to Bernabeu a month prior so he could feature in FIFA’s latest initiative
the upcoming much-expanded and hugely-lucrative
Liverpool will not let that happen and the move to take the 33-times capped England star will not go through until July
Writing on The Athletic
Ornstein stated: ‘Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid as a free agent
with sources in Spain – speaking anonymously to protect relationships – suggesting a proposed six-year agreement
to join the Spanish side has now entered its final stages and is on course to be signed in the coming weeks.’
is expected to net the player a hefty £240,000 a week package
while Real are also reported to have given the player a significant seven-figure bonus payment as a signing-on fee
⚪ Trent Alexander-Arnold done deal: The best free-agent signings Real Madrid have ever made
⚪ Alexander-Arnold done deal: The last 10 players Real Madrid convinced to leave their local team
Confirmation of Alexander-Arnold’s exit now
rather than after the season has concluded
means the player will get the chance to bid farewell to the fans that have idolised him for several years in their final home game of the season
And according to The Times’ Paul Joyce
Alexander Arnold ‘wanted to clarify his plans now’
rather than ‘waiting until after the title parade on May 26’
as he ‘does not want to be viewed as a coward who sneaked out the back door’
Confirming his departure in a message on his X page
Alexander-Arnold posted: “After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club
“This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life
“I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this…
I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this… pic.twitter.com/emAw5RvXq0
— Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) May 5, 2025
achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to here,” he told Liverpool’s official website
“There’s a lot I would like to say,” he said of Liverpool fans
and I just hope that everyone is able to maybe not dwell on this news for too long and be able to celebrate what the rest of the lads have done.”
While Alexander-Arnold is yet to comment on the reasons for joining Real Madrid, some detail into why the move was greenlit offered by Spanish football expert Guillem Balague back in March
The player himself has also not hidden from his desire to win the game’s biggest prizes
saying earlier this season: “The most important thing is trophies if I’m honest
I’m a player who is highly motivated by winning things and being elite
That’s probably the main factor of anything
who wants to win and will do anything to win then that’s what drives them.”
Alexander-Arnold has made 352 Liverpool appearances
unlike Steve McManaman and Michael Owen before him
the right-back can’t claim that he’s heading to the Spanish capital to satisfy a thirst for silverware given Liverpool’s form and recent Premier League title success since Arne Slot took over as manager
‘losing Alexander-Arnold isn’t a good look for Liverpool’s owners
given that a £100m asset will be walking away for nothing’
Ornstein concludes: ‘At the age of 26
his best years remain ahead of him and the fact that they won’t be spent on the red side of Merseyside is a bitter pill to swallow’
By Samuel Bannister
While Alexander-Arnold has amassed a respectable medal collection with Liverpool
winning just about everything there is to win
the sheer frequency of honours he could expect to pick up at Real Madrid may outweigh it
Madrid are the Champions League’s most successful club
winning two of the past three finals and five of the past nine
and could enable Alexander-Arnold to add some more glittering honours to his cabinet
Winning trophies with Liverpool will always be special for Alexander-Arnold
but he could become even more decorated at Real Madrid – and in an age where people seem fixated on honours when judging a player
Alexander-Arnold recently hinted he would like to aim for the Ballon d’Or while in the prime of his career
And although Manchester City’s Rodri won the Ballon d’Or in 2024
it has more frequently been claimed by LaLiga players than Premier League players in recent memory
Only once has a Liverpool player won the Ballon d’Or; there have
been 12 times when a Real Madrid player has
Alexander-Arnold could boost his chances of winning football’s biggest individual accolade by standing out in a star-studded Real Madrid team with his own unique role
playing for his boyhood club for the only team he has ever known
but he may also be eager to challenge himself in a different league and culture
Spanish football is experiencing a resurgence – the men’s national team are the current European champions
the women’s team are the current world champions
and La Liga representatives Real Madrid are the reigning European champions at club level – and it would be fascinating to see how he would adapt to that style of play
The lifestyle would also be a change for Alexander-Arnold and
Alexander-Arnold would be able to link up with another English superstar in the shape of Jude Bellingham
The pair get on well thanks to being international teammates and that may help Alexander-Arnold settle in the Spanish capital
Bellingham certainly hit the ground running after joining Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund and Alexander-Arnold could back himself to do the same
English players abroad can often become popular and Real Madrid could assemble a squad that contains two of the very best
Who knows, but this opportunity might never come around again. Real Madrid have shown determination to wait for the right target in cases such as Kylian Mbappe, but their need to reinforce at right-back is becoming more urgent and if it isn’t with Alexander-Arnold, it could be with one of a number of alternatives
Alexander-Arnold’s decision might be made for him
he could say that he had tested himself on the most illustrious of stages
He will have had a splendid career still if not
but he will have to consider if he will be wondering ‘what if?’ by the time he reaches the end of his career – hopefully a long way away just yet
While Alexander-Arnold’s role with Liverpool has been dominant in terms of the regularity of his gametime
the same cannot be said for his England career
he has more competition at international level
but he was often overlooked by Gareth Southgate
he will be wondering what Thomas Tuchel thinks of him
his form at club level will impact the new England head coach’s decisions
But will it benefit Alexander-Arnold to remain in sight in English football
or could it actually benefit him to prove himself abroad
but the recent change of Three Lions manager means this could be a clean slate for Alexander-Arnold in an England shirt and he has an impression to make
Alexander-Arnold has seen his wages increase over time at Liverpool
he may want to be elevated to the position of being their outright top earner
It remains to be seen whether or not Liverpool would appease that ambition
he would not be the top earner – due to the fortunes Mbappe is receiving – but could nevertheless take home a bigger salary than what he currently earns from Liverpool
There are more important footballing factors to consider
This is already becoming one of the big off-field sagas of the season; Alexander-Arnold has a lot to weigh up
Real Madrid could pile more misery on Liverpool after the Trent Alexander-Arnold deal by beating them to the signing of Bournemouth star Milos Kerkez
Alexander-Arnold has announced he will leave Liverpool on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract this summer. The England star is set to join Real Madrid in one of the biggest moves of 2025
as they are looking to sign another full-back in the coming weeks
The Spanish giants aim to build a new Galacticos side and are targeting a left-back to strengthen their team for next season
TEAMtalk has been reporting on the future of Kerkez for the past year
and we understand Madrid are among the clubs interested in the Hungarian
Sources indicate that Madrid have not made as significant moves as other clubs
but they have suggested a potential late hijack could be on the cards
Liverpool have been working diligently to sign Kerkez
who had scouts present at Bournemouth’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday and their interest is described as concrete and genuine
The scouts were primarily there to watch Dean Huijsen but were also tasked with gathering information on Kerkez during the game
Sources insist that “conversations were held.” Agents often meet with clubs at matches
and these interactions are where deals begin and necessary information is acquired
they could move quickly to sign him ahead of Liverpool
Madrid would be able to offer a more lucrative financial package
and the allure of playing in their iconic white kit is difficult for even the biggest Premier League clubs to compete with
How Real Madrid will unlock full Alexander-Arnold potential revealed as Liverpool blunder slammed
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Nine Liverpool replacement options as Real Madrid move confirmed
Sources have stated that the 21-year-old full-back is eager to play at the highest level and compete in the Champions League
Liverpool can offer that opportunity and have been holding positive discussions about a potential move
They want him to support Andy Robertson and eventually succeed from the Scottish international on the left side
the deal to bring Kerkez to Anfield is not finalised
and Madrid’s interest may prompt the Bournemouth star to take his time and wait for a potential offer from the Spanish club
Liverpool must also keep an eye out for Manchester City, as TEAMtalk revealed on April 30 that Pep Guardiola’s side have joined the hunt for Kerkez
Liverpool believe they are at the front of the queue, and Kerkez’s arrival could begin a transformative window at Anfield
But the race for Kerkez is becoming fierce as some of the biggest and best sides in the world challenge Liverpool
Kerkez is on track to leave Bournemouth alongside Huijsen this summer. Sources have informed TEAMtalk that both Liverpool and Chelsea have sent Huijsen contract offers as they look to get the jump on Madrid
🔴 Liverpool get final Alexander-Arnold revenge on Real Madrid as Ornstein confirms contract length, arrival date
🔴 Arsenal and Liverpool in talks to sign Chelsea ace who’s QUITTING the club
By Samuel Bannister
August 2020 – Makes his senior debut in the Hungarian second tier at the age of just 16 years and nine months
February 2021– After receiving a call from Paolo Maldini
moves to Italy to link up with AC Milan’s youth system
January 2022 – Having never graduated to Milan’s first team
initially linking up with the Dutch side’s reserve team
May 2022 – Makes his first senior appearance for AZ in an Eredivisie match
June 2022 – Earns his first call-up to the Hungary national team
August 2022 – Scores his first goal for AZ
which was the winner against Sparta Rotterdam
September 2022 – Makes his international debut for Hungary in a win over Germany
May 2023 – Starts the second leg of the Europa Conference League semi-final against West Ham to reach 17 appearances in the competition from his debut European season
July 2023 – After being linked with Lazio and Benfica
moves to the Premier League instead by joining Bournemouth
August 2023 – Makes his Premier League debut and the first of 33 appearances in his maiden season in English football
June 2024 – Starts all three of Hungary’s group-stage matches at Euro 2024 before their elimination
November 2024 – Provides both of his side’s assists in a 2-1 win as Bournemouth secure a historic first ever victory over Manchester City
November 2024 – Scores his first Premier League goal in a win over Wolves
March 2025 – Reaches five assists for the season by setting up a goal against Spurs
Chelsea boosted their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League with a 3-1 victory over champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge
ending a four-month goal drought when netting a 96th-minute penalty
Chelsea remain fifth but now have a three-point cushion over sixth-place Nottingham Forest, who play Crystal Palace on Monday
Chelsea are also level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle United
whom they play at St James' Park next weekend
The Blues opened the scoring after just three minutes. Palmer led a swift counter before finding Pedro Neto
whose low cross was neatly controlled and finished by Fernandez
Liverpool looked to respond, with Cody Gakpo calling Robert Sanchez into action from a tight angle
while Neto hit the side-netting at the other end
Chelsea thought they had doubled their lead just before half-time when Noni Madueke rounded Alisson and slotted home. However, the joy was short-lived with Nicolas Jackson penalised for offside during the build-up
The hosts did get their second goal in fortuitous circumstances 11 minutes after the restart
as Van Dijk’s attempted clearance from a Palmer cross ricocheted off Quansah and back into the net
Palmer struck a post from a tight angle, before Liverpool’s late pressure at the other end eventually culminated in Van Dijk powering home from Alexis Mac Allister’s corner
But Liverpool's hopes of averting only their third league defeat of the season faded deep into stoppage time, when Palmer slotted home from the spot after Quansah felled Moises Caicedo
Seeking a third straight Premier League win, Enzo Maresca named an unchanged starting XI for the first time since November, against Manchester United
After giving the new champions a "Guard of Honour", the Blues’ confidence was evident as they were quick out of the blocks and soon ahead through Fernandez. Timed at two minutes and 47 seconds, it was their earliest league goal since Antonio Rudiger netted just 14 seconds earlier against Stoke City in December 2017
they eventually gained breathing space through Quansah’s own goal
The hosts’ concentration levels were tested as Liverpool increased the pressure in search for a way back into the game
Chelsea never really looked like surrendering it
and put the contest to bed with virtually the last kick of the game
as Palmer capped a fine individual performance by ending his 18-match goal drought
Attention now turns to the second leg of the Conference League semi-final against Djurgarden, before their Champions League qualification quest resumes at St James’ Park against top-five rivals Newcastle United
Fresh from securing their second Premier League title last weekend, Arne Slot’s much-changed side received a guard of honour as they made their way onto the Stamford Bridge turf
We explain history behind the guard of honour as the 2024/25 title-winners receive one at Stamford Bridge
There were six alterations in all and the Reds were slow to settle
with Chelsea punishing them by striking inside just three minutes
Liverpool struggled to generate a decent attacking threat over the remainder of the first half
Slot’s side were much-improved after falling 2-0 behind, with Van Dijk and Darwin Nunez off target from headers
Their pressure eventually told when Van Dijk made no mistake five minutes from time
it was too late to avert a third defeat in four visits to London
A disappointing afternoon for Quansah continued when he caught Caicedo late
allowing Palmer to seal the points for the hosts
Slot will be eager for his side to finish the season with improvement, starting next weekend against second-place Arsenal at Anfield
Chelsea report | Liverpool report
Enzo Maresca: "Very important three points
playing the way we want and they forced us to use a different plan
Chelsea has to fight for Champions League and hopefully in the future we can fight for something more important
In this moment we are there and hopefully we can finish there."
Arne Slot: "For many things I didn't see a drop off
we could see why we have won this league - we brought the ball out from the back really well
We came back after being 2-0 down and we didn't give up
In some moments a few percentages were not there."
Liverpool are only the fourth team to lose their first league match after they were crowned Premier League champions after Arsenal in 1997/98 (vs Liverpool)
Chelsea in 2005/06 (vs Blackburn) and the Reds themselves in 2019/20 (vs Manchester City)
Chelsea recorded a victory over Liverpool for the first time since March 2021
ending a run of 10 matches without a win against the Reds in all competitions (D7 L3)
Only John Terry (19) and Dion Dublin (14) have scored more headed goals from corners in Premier League history than Van Dijk (13)
The Liverpool captain is the top scoring defender in the competition since his first full season with the Reds in 2018/19 (21)
Palmer ended a run of 1,162 minutes without a goal in the Premier League – he had the most shots (5)
made the joint-most passes ending in the final third (13)
and had the joint-most touches in the opposition box (8) of any Chelsea player in today’s win over Liverpool
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has revealed he feels Trent Alexander-Arnold has ‘chosen to become a rival’ of the club
and they ‘have to’ drop their support of the right-back
The Reds entered April staring down the barrel of a triple exit. Indeed, each of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold were set to leave on free transfers at the end of the season
fears of the former pair exiting were allayed
There was no sign of Alexander-Arnold doing the same
He remained quiet on his future until May 5, when the right-back announced his decision to leave Liverpool
While there is no announcement on his next move yet
it’s been heavily suggested he’s going to Real Madrid
both before and since his Anfield exit was announced
Reds legend Carragher, writing for the Telegraph
feels ‘swapping Liverpool red for Real Madrid white means he has chosen to become a rival’
Carragher feels Alexander-Arnold will get the same sort of icy reception Luis Suarez got when returning to Anfield as a Barcelona player
despite his 20-year association being far longer than Suarez’s time at the club
Carragher also feels the ‘unconditional support Alexander-Arnold received from the Kop has gone’ and he feels ‘it has to be this way at the biggest clubs’
He also stated that anything which ‘undermines’ Liverpool’s potential success is ‘a threat’ and feels the defender’s decision is ‘making it harder for his own club’ to win another league title
DON’T MISS: Trent Alexander-Arnold: Nine Liverpool replacement options as Real Madrid move confirmed
The expectation that Alexander-Arnold will join Real has been reiterated by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano
“BREAKING: Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid
A number of other insiders have also stated since the Liverpool announcement their expectation that the right-back will join Real
It’s been revealed that two years ago, under Jurgen Klopp, Alexander-Arnold was ready to pen a new Liverpool deal
with the right-back then becoming able to leave on a free this summer
Elsewhere, TEAMtalk understands a Reds move for Dean Huijsen is under threat, as Chelsea have offered a better financial package for the Bournemouth man
Liverpool could snatch a player from the Blues
as it’s reported they are in contact over a move for forward Christopher Nkunku
Another forward on the Anfield club’s radar is Xavi Simons, who Liverpool are reportedly planning a bid north of £50million for.
Everton's victory saw them claim a first league double over Liverpool since 2012
Everton claimed just their second away win of the season as Katja Snoeijs and Karen Holmgaard struck to earn a Women's Super League derby double against neighbours Liverpool
Snoeijs combined well with strike partner Kelly Gago on the edge of the box before arrowing a low drive past Rachael Laws at the Kop end
Full-back Karen Holmgaard popped up at the back post to double the visitors' lead with 20 minutes remaining
after Toni Payne had embarked on a weaving run down the left
Although Liverpool applied plenty of pressure
The majority of the crowd had arrived with hopes of seeing Liverpool claim a first league derby win since May 2019, but Everton's stubborn rearguard had other ideas, just as they did in November's 1-0 home victory at Goodison Park
Captain Taylor Hinds went close to a Liverpool leveller midway through the first half
but her dipping shot from distance hit the crossbar and went behind
Liverpool picked up where they left off after the break as they chased a goal
forcing Toffees stopper Courtney Brosnan into several smart saves
before Everton doubled their lead through Holmgaard
It was a mixed day in the Holmgaard household as Karen's sister Sara received a second yellow card and subsequent red inside the final 10 minutes for bringing down Olivia Smith as she threatened to break free
the visitors held out to claim a first win in six games and move to two points behind fifth-placed Liverpool in the table
WSL: Champions Chelsea face Spurs after Man Utd and Everton win derbies
Liverpool have failed to win any of their last seven WSL meetings with Everton
Having watched his side beaten by a stoppage-time goal at home against Brighton last time out
Everton boss Brian Sorensen spoke of wanting to bounce back to winning ways in the Merseyside derby
The Toffees have had a rotten time of it on the road this season
winning just once away from Walton Hall Park and Goodison all term before this short trip
Now they can celebrate a first league double over the Reds since 2012
Snoeijs and Gago's wonderful interplay allowed them to capitalise on Jenna Clark's poor throw-in to land a huge early blow
Everton then sat in and frustrated Liverpool
with goalkeeper Brosnan proving key once again to a fifth clean sheet of the campaign
Although they came under several intense periods of pressure as Liverpool chased a way back into the game
Everton crucially remained deadly on the break
Holmgaard's strike was just Everton's second attempt on target of the afternoon and put the result beyond reasonable doubt
sapping the home crowd's remaining energy
Victory continues Everton's dominance in WSL meetings with Liverpool
stretching their unbeaten run to seven matches since May 2019
The Reds dominated almost every metric - shots
expected goals and possession - but the Blues edged the only one that really mattered thanks to their goals
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the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users
Related topicsFootballMore on this storyGet the latest WSL news on our dedicated page
substituted for Júlia Bartel at 86 minutesNumber 24
Weir Match OfficialsReferee: Lisa BennMatch StatsKey
Veatriki Sarri (Everton Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half
Olivia Smith (Liverpool Women) left footed shot from outside the box is close
Grace Fisk (Liverpool Women) header from the centre of the box misses to the left
Assisted by Marie-Therese Höbinger with a cross following a corner
Taylor Hinds (Liverpool Women) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked
Grace Fisk (Liverpool Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked
Fourth official has announced 7 minutes of added time
Delay in match because of an injury Clare Wheeler (Everton Women)
Marie-Therese Höbinger (Liverpool Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked
Rikke Madsen (Everton Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul
Júlia Bartel (Liverpool Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half
Gemma Bonner (Liverpool Women) header from the centre of the box is close
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Trent Alexander-Arnold is in line to receive a whopping salary at Real Madrid as further details emerge following confirmation he will be leaving Liverpool
the England international has decided to move for pastures new
A day after the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea
Alexander-Arnold posted a lengthy statement accompanied by an emotional video explaining his decision
Liverpool also put out an official statement and said the two-time Premier League winner will "depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success"
In what appears to be the worst kept secret in football, Alexander-Arnold is now poised to embark on a new chapter in Spain, joining England teammate Jude Bellingham at 15-time European champions Real
According to Fabrizio Romano
Alexander-Arnold is expected to sign a five-year contract at the Santiago Bernabeu
Sacha Tavolieri of Sky Sport reported that he will also be given a hefty salary increase from his Liverpool pay packet
earning €15 million per year prior to any taxes
performance-related bonuses and a signing on fee factored in
However, the figure means he will not be one of Real's top earners - with the likes of Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe on higher wages than Alexander-Arnold
His Liverpool deal is due to officially expire on July 1 but The Sun say he could join up with Real sooner as they want him to participate in the Club World Cup which kicks off in the United States in June
It's claimed if an early release is paid for by Los Blancos
Alexander-Arnold could move on June 1 and would be on course to feature against Al Hilal in the group stage game in Miami on June 15
Alexander-Arnold has racked up 351 appearances for Liverpool
He could pull on the Reds shirt three more times
including twice at home to Arsenal and Crystal Palace
Topics: Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid, Premier League, Champions League
Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling
He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE
He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons