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 Trent 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 Free daily newsletterKick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football 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 Ben and Tom are joined by Watto to discuss the fullback’s departure from Anfield and much more ArchiveWe’ve been around since Brady was a QB Why Trent was always going to leave on a free - Rory Smith Chief football writerPublished5 May 20252606 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 Trent Alexander-Arnold has won five major trophies with Liverpool 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 Alexander-Arnold enjoyed a dream return from injury netting the winner against Leicester in April 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 - 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Read about our approach to external linking. playHow would Trent fit in at Real Madrid with Alonso in charge (1:59)Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens discuss how Trent Alexander-Arnold might fit in at Real Madrid if Xabi Alonso is named as Carlo Ancelotti's replacement Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of his contract this summer with sources telling ESPN that the defender rejected a pay deal at Anfield that would have made him one of the best-paid fullbacks in world football 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 said achieved everything I've ever wanted to here Trent Alexander-Arnold will depart Liverpool as a two-time Premier League title winner. Carl Recine/Getty Images"Giving everything day in 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." Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool at the age of six with his contract set to expire at the end of the season The 26-year-old right back, who was made vice captain in the summer of 2023, has made 349 appearances for Liverpool, winning seven major trophies during his time at Anfield. He will join up with close friend and England teammate Jude Bellingham in Madrid Sources have told ESPN that contract talks with Alexander-Arnold started last season during Jürgen Klopp's final season as manager at Anfield and continued following Arne Slot's appointment as coach last summer Sources have said that negotiations between Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool with the player offered a significant pay raise but Liverpool accepted earlier this spring that Alexander-Arnold would not commit to a new contract and the player informed Slot of his decision to leave last month "There's a lot I would like to say," Alexander-Arnold said "The main thing is a massive thank you [the supporters] You guys have been there from the start with me 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 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." 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 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 Since head coach Hugh Freeze got to Auburn in 2023, he’s been looking for a long-term solution at quarterback to lead the Tigers offense. Now, the hope is that they’ve found that answer in transfer Jackson Arnold Freeze shared that he’s excited about Arnold his development has been something that coaches at Auburn noticed since he landed with the program “Really excited about Jackson,” Hugh Freeze said on The Paul Finebaum Show. “I thought he and Deuce [Knight] was we were able to just – we only had those two guys here so they got all the reps and I think that was a good thing Coming out of high school, Jackson Arnold was one of the most highly-touted recruits in the country. A five-star recruit in the Class of 2023 he was the eighth-ranked player overall and the fourth-ranked quarterback in that recruiting cycle Initially attending Oklahoma, Arnold flashed his talent at times. Other times, however, his youth and need to develop did stand out. Benched at one point during the 2024 season, Arnold completed 62.6 percent of his passes in 10 games for 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns to three interceptions. He also rushed for 444 yards and three touchdowns. Top 101Shane BeamerPuts NCAA on blast Hot3Trump By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein. Hugh Freeze stopped short of declaring Jackson Arnold Auburn’s starting quarterback. However, it’s clear he’s put himself in a good position moving forward. This spring, Jackson Arnold did miss Auburn’s A-Day Game while dealing with injury concerns. It was a minor leg injury that he suffered shortly before the spring game and Hugh Freeze made the decision not to play him because of it. However, that was mostly precautionary. On3’s Sam Gillenwater contributed to this article. Hot3Trump, Saban blastedNIL order ripped On3 is a registered trademark of On3 Media The Premier League club confirmed on Monday that Alexander-Arnold had "informed Liverpool FC of his intention to leave the club this summer upon the expiry of his current contract," saying that he would "depart Anfield once his deal ceases on June 30 ESPN has reported that Madrid are "very optimistic" about signing the England international on a free transfer Talks with Alexander-Arnold's camp have been ongoing for months and only the final details are now lacking on a contract Madrid have reached a verbal agreement with Alexander-Arnold Madrid had been keen to bring in the right-back in January after their first choice in the position, Dani Carvajal, suffered a long-term knee injury in October. Liverpool were unwilling to consider a deal Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will leave Liverpool. GettySources told ESPN that the LaLiga giants would now like to negotiate an agreement with Liverpool -- for a reasonable fee -- to allow Alexander-Arnold to join them before his contract at Anfield is due to expire That would allow the defender to travel with Madrid to the United States to take part in the Club World Cup Madrid's group games will see them play Al Hilal in Miami The club view Alexander-Arnold's taking part in the tournament as the best way to integrate him into the team as soon as possible Liverpool won their 20th English league title -- and second Premier League crown -- last week. Alexander-Arnold, 26, has spent 20 years at Anfield, winning the 2019 Champions League, two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. "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," he said on Monday, "And I think now is the right time for me to do that." 2444 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 Get Liverpool news sent straight to your phone 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 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 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 | 2444Top storiesLive 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) 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 Your entry has been submitted successfully Please check your email for further information A Division of NBCUniversal DISCLAIMER: This site and the products offered are for entertainment purposes only and there is no gambling offered on this site This service is intended for adult audiences No guarantees are made for any specific outcome If you or someone you know has a gambling problem Real Madrid is expected to make sweeping changes at the end of the season. Veteran figures like Luka Modrić, Lucas Vázquez, Rodrygo, and several defenders are likely to leave, along with manager Carlo Ancelotti. The favorite to take over is former Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, who stunned Europe by leading Bayer Leverkusen to a historic Bundesliga title in 2023/24. Alexander-Arnold could soon be part of the most decorated club in football history—but his exit from Liverpool comes at an emotional cost. Fans have voiced disappointment, especially given his long-standing role at the club. He’s been a mainstay in the starting XI since Jürgen Klopp’s arrival, and spent a decade in the academy before making his senior debut. Klopp’s warning in 2018, when Philippe Coutinho left mid-season for Barcelona, now feels eerily relevant: "Stay here, and they will build a statue for you. Go somewhere else—to Barcelona, Bayern, Real Madrid—and you’ll be just another player. Here, you can be something more." The Little Magician had a bright start in Spain, but quickly faded. Loan spells at Bayern Munich, Al-Duhail, and eventually Aston Villa followed. Today, he’s on loan at Vasco da Gama, far from the player once idolized at Anfield. Trent Alexander-Arnold could succeed where Coutinho never did Trent’s future, however, could unfold differently—especially under Alonso. The Spanish coach prefers a back-three system, with one traditional full-back and two versatile defenders who contribute both in defense and build-up play. It’s a system that fits the modern game and could unlock Alexander-Arnold’s full potential. Still, the move means leaving behind his boyhood club, the Kop, the staff, and everything he’s known as a professional. Most of all, it means walking away from the roar of Anfield—and the sound of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” sung just for him. The Barcelona team Coutinho joined was in a difficult phase, seemingly unsure how to rebuild a squad filled with veterans nearing the end of their careers. The club even brought in Paulinho, a Brazilian midfielder who had left Europe years earlier to play in China. Despite the instability, Coutinho posted solid numbers—113 appearances, 28 goals, and a key role in helping Barcelona reach the UEFA Champions League semifinal in 2018. But that run ended at Anfield, where he faced his former club. In that match, Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered the moment of his career: a quick-thinking corner kick that caught Barcelona’s defense off guard and completed Liverpool’s historic 4–0 comeback. Both players made the same move after years at Liverpool. Coutinho didn’t find lasting success, but Trent has everything in place to be remembered by Real Madrid fans. He could follow in the footsteps of English stars who wore the white shirt and performed at a world-class level—like David Beckham, Michael Owen, and now Jude Bellingham.  By Premier League Writer for Athlon Sports Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool the club he has been at since the age of 6 he said on social media platform X on Monday calling it the hardest decision of his life He has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid which reportedly made an offer for the England defender just before the January transfer window opened Alexander-Arnold rose through the youth ranks to become one of the best right backs in the world the Champions League and the Club World Cup with the English team "This club has been my whole life – my whole world - for 20 years," Alexander-Arnold said in his statement taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally." The 26-year-old frequently played in a hybrid midfield role for Liverpool in recent seasons operating as a full back when out of possession but moving into midfield during attacks has racked up 352 appearances for the Reds scoring 23 goals and winning eight major honours including this season's Premier League title He had been in discussions with Liverpool about a new deal but whereas Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk signed contract extensions with the club "Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success," the club said in a statement Alexander-Arnold is hoping the news of his departure is not a distraction over Liverpool's final three games of the season the noise (from my decision) doesn't take away from the fact of what we've achieved this season," he said 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." Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool when his contract expires this summer the club and England international have confirmed 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 Alexander-Arnold will finish a journey that began aged six by lifting the Premier League title for a second time adding it to a collection of trophies that includes the 2019 Champions League 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… pic.twitter.com/emAw5RvXq0 — Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) May 5, 2025 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,” he told Liverpool’s official website I’ve got to a point now where I feel like I need a new change And I think now is the right time for me to do that.” “There’s a lot I would like to say,” he said of Liverpool fans With his contract entering its final six months Alexander-Arnold has been able to negotiate with Madrid Liverpool rejected an approach from Madrid to sign Alexander-Arnold in January in December, choosing instead to prioritise their pursuit of the Premier League and Champions League titles over receiving a transfer fee The Athletic reported in October that Madrid had made Alexander-Arnold a priority target with the defender saying the previous month a desire to win trophies would be the biggest factor in deciding his future “The most important thing is trophies if I’m honest,” Alexander-Arnold told reporters 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.” Resolving Alexander-Arnold’s long-term future has been one of the primary objectives for new sporting director Richard Hughes with the right-back among three crucial players — alongside Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk — whose existing Liverpool terms were scheduled to expire in the summer On April 11, Liverpool announced that Salah had signed a new contract which runs until June 2027, while Van Dijk committed his own future to the club a week later with a two-year extension. Alexander-Arnold has made 352 Liverpool appearances He played an integral role in ending Liverpool’s wait for a first Premier League title in 2019-20 and won the PFA young player of the year award for his performances that season Alexander-Arnold has won the Champions League FA Cup and Carabao Cup (twice) during his 19 years the club He was named vice-captain by former manager Jurgen Klopp following the departure of Jordan Henderson Dani Carvajal has been Madrid’s first-choice right-back with the versatile Lucas Vazquez often deputising in the position Carvajal sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury earlier this season and subsequently signed a one-year contract extension until June 2026 while Vazquez’s terms expire at the end of this campaign At Madrid, Alexander-Arnold is set to join England team-mate and close friend Jude Bellingham and follow in the footsteps of Steve McManaman and Michael Owen in swapping Anfield for the Santiago Bernabeu A free transfer in July 2025 comes a year after Madrid executed a similar deal to sign Kylian Mbappe following the expiry of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain They have also had success with other out-of-contract acquisitions in Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba in recent years Alexander-Arnold has made 42 appearances for Liverpool this season despite missing four games in March and April with an ankle injury Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season will cut deep at Anfield they are losing arguably the most dynamic right-back in European football They will miss his creative spark and remarkable range of passing His tally of 64 assists is the most by a defender in Premier League history But Liverpool will be waving goodbye to much more than that His bond with the club goes back to when he first joined the academy at the age of six It’s been some ride over the past 20 years as he lived the dream and helped Liverpool win the biggest prizes He has developed into a leader in the dressing room and had previously spoken about wanting to wear the captain’s armband on a permanent basis So too the attraction of experiencing a different way of life and playing alongside his close friend But unlike Steve McManaman and Michael Owen before him he can’t claim that he’s heading to the Spanish capital to satisfy a thirst for silverware given Liverpool’s form since Arne Slot took over as head coach Losing Alexander-Arnold isn’t a good look for Liverpool’s owners given that a £100million asset will be walking away for nothing It should have been sorted long before this season 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 Real Madrid correspondent Guillermo Rai While Madrid have pursued ‘generational talents’ in recent seasons Prospects such as Leny Yoro and Endrick were so highly rated that the Madrid board was convinced to take a bet on them This is not the case with Alexander-Arnold and is vastly experienced in elite football As his contract expires this summer and he is free to leave Alexander-Arnold’s case was conceived more as a market opportunity for Madrid — similar to a player like Antonio Rudiger who departed Bayern Munich on a free transfer the previous year Alexander-Arnold will reinforce a position in which Madrid had not signed anyone since 2019 while Carvajal is facing months on the sidelines after suffering that ACL injury in October All of this has forced a change of plan and signing the Liverpool full-back has been prioritised 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 After the club’s great experience with Bellingham who has a long-standing friendship with Alexander-Arnold Madrid once again feel they are gambling smartly on an English star 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 Trent 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 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. However, 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. 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". 5856Shareclose 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 3386Shareclose 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 130288Shareclose 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 4731Shareclose 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 38050Shareclose 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 2717Shareclose 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 32695Shareclose 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 4614Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingget involvedGet Involvedpublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 5 May15:24 BST 5 May#bbcfootball 71091Shareclose 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 6710Shareclose 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 41162Shareclose 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 2272Shareclose 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 31048Shareclose 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 18255Shareclose 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: 6924Shareclose 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 playOgden questions if leaving Liverpool is a good move for Alexander-Arnold (1:38)Mark Ogden wonders if Trent Alexander-Arnold's best chance of success on the pitch is at Liverpool rather than a likely switch to Real Madrid a jubilant Kop crowed: "He's Alexander-Arnold It has been a familiar refrain on Merseyside since the 26-year-old right back made his first-team debut in 2016 underscoring his rise from academy graduate to Premier League star But now that Alexander-Arnold has announced he will leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season the song may well have had its final airing at Anfield a new challenge for me as a player and as a person," Alexander-Arnold revealed in a social media post on Monday "And I think now is the right time for me to do that." The timing of those reports from the Spanish capital aligned with a breakdown in contract talks at Anfield, with sources telling ESPN that -- after months of negotiations with sporting director Richard Hughes -- Alexander-Arnold rejected new terms that would have made him one of the best-paid fullbacks in the world Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave was not fueled by financial incentives, but by a desire to try something new. Considering the defender joined Liverpool's academy at the age of 6 and has won everything there is to win at Anfield -- two Premier League titles (2020 and 2025), a single FA Cup, EFL Cup and Community Shield (all 2022), and one UEFA Champions League FIFA Club World Cup (all 2019) -- there is logic behind his longing for a change of scenery Arne Slot will have to find a way to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold's impact at both ends of the pitch. Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesHowever football is a game of emotions and in some quarters of the Reds' fan base that logic will never tally with the image Alexander-Arnold has cultivated for himself as a homegrown hero his decision to depart will sully a legacy that had looked set to match or even eclipse that of fellow academy graduate Steven Gerrard it is more likely comparisons will be drawn to Michael Owen and Steve McManaman -- both of whom garnered criticism from Liverpool supporters for swapping Merseyside for Madrid during their playing careers After the Reds went on to lift the trophy that same year Alexander-Arnold was afforded with a mural on Sybil Street The elaborate artwork depicts the defender alongside the words: "I'm just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has just come true." The club's hierarchy havs known for several weeks -- and likely suspected for even longer -- that it must plan for a future without its star right back replacing a player of Alexander-Arnold's pedigree is an ominous challenge He has provided 64 Premier League assists during his time at Liverpool -- more than any defender in the competition's history -- and was often the team's creative fulcrum under previous boss Jurgen Klopp who often moved him up into central midfield Now it might be that new head coach Arne Slot chooses to replace that ingenuity by adding to his midfield ranks rather than seeking a like-for-like replacement at right back play1:59How would Trent fit in at Real Madrid with Alonso in charge?Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens discuss how Trent Alexander-Arnold might fit in at Real Madrid if Xabi Alonso is named as Carlo Ancelotti's replacement quiet in a 2-0 win over Real Madrid in November with Bradley having made only 27 top-flight appearances so far it would be wise for Liverpool to dip into the market for a player who could both compete with and complement the youngster While the transfer rumor mill will no doubt go into overdrive in the coming weeks and months Liverpool's focus now will be on ending what has been a triumphant first season under Slot on a high The images of Alexander-Arnold basking in the euphoria of his team's latest title win last weekend prompted Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury to ask the question that many Liverpool supporters have been pondering for some time: "How could Trent consider walking away from this?" Although Alexander-Arnold's announcement may not have provided a definitive answer over why he chose to do so it has at least brought all parties some clarity It is not the fairy-tale ending that many fans will have hoped for but it could be the start of an exciting new chapter This is an updated version of this article, which was first published in January 2025 At long last, an end to the Trent Alexander-Arnold saga is in sight — the right-back has announced he will leave Liverpool and is poised to join Real Madrid this summer Nearly a year on from the signing of Kylian Mbappe and almost two years after Jude Bellingham’s arrival Alexander-Arnold is expected to join his fellow Englishman at the Bernabeu as another galactico arrival The Athletic reported that Liverpool rejected an approach from the European champions in December with his Liverpool contract expiring at the end of June It is the kind of deal that Madrid president Florentino Perez has made his trademark — tempting Alexander-Arnold away from his boyhood club strengthening his club’s brand while adding another world-class player to their ranks it is another deal in which Madrid made their move when the players’ contracts were reaching their final years or no fee at all if the player is at the very end of their contract — though in that scenario players receive a signing bonus A long-term injury suffered by right-back Dani Carvajal accelerated the process but this is a player who has long been in their sights this is what Alexander-Arnold can bring to Madrid… Away from the obvious significance of a deal for one of the world’s best players the signing of Alexander-Arnold represents the first marquee addition to Madrid’s back four in quite some time Fran Garcia returned to the club from Rayo Vallecano for €5million (£4.2m) in 2023 while Rudiger joined in June 2022 and Alaba in July 2021 — both on free transfers But you have to go back to 2019 — when Madrid signed both Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy for a combined fee of about €100m — to find significant investment in the defence That is largely down to the unerring consistency of some of the club’s longest-standing servants — and they will not simply step aside for Alexander-Arnold Carvajal is considered the perfect right-back due to his abilities in both attack and defence as well as his leadership and experience and still has the fitness to run the flanks where his crossing ability and link-up play are strong allowing him to play at centre-back in emergencies But Carvajal has been sidelined for much of the 2024-25 season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in October who is 33 years old and in October extended his contract at Madrid until 2026 has said he hopes to return for the new FIFA Club World Cup in the United States which begins on June 14 (Madrid play their first game against Saudi side Al Hilal on June 18) Lucas Vazquez has stepped into a full-back role in recent seasons and while he is considered weaker in terms of positioning and duels he tends to compensate with great physicality His offensive contributions are also valued while his professionalism and day-to-day presence in the dressing room help to knit the squad together Vazquez’s future — the Spaniard turns 34 on July 1 and his deal is up after the Club World Cup — is uncertain the club see it necessary to start succession planning The 26-year-old Alexander-Arnold will freshen up an ageing part of the squad those inside the club also admire Alexander-Arnold’s ability on the ball Last season saw the right-back take on the role of chief playmaker in Jurgen Klopp’s final term at Anfield frequently dropping between the centre-backs or drifting into midfield to dictate proceedings from central areas “Before taking this (different role) on, I was only ever really able to break lines on the right side of the pitch,” Alexander-Arnold told The Athletic in May 2023 And if I was to play a good pass it would be a big switch This (central) position just opens up the whole pitch for me I’m able to dictate the flow of the game — where we attack and he can turn a settled build-up into a dangerous attack in the blink of an eye — finding runners ahead of him without them having to break stride As seen here against Aston Villa last season… The speed and accuracy at which Alexander-Arnold can play these passes is something that will appeal to Madrid who are sorely missing the long-range passing game of the retired Toni Kroos Particularly with such firepower out on each flank the German’s ability to switch the play often helped to isolate Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo against their full-backs although Aurelien Tchouameni has attempted to replicate Kroos’s expansive passing from either a deep midfield role or while playing as a centre-back the extra seconds it takes the Frenchman to get the ball out of his feet often makes a difference Alexander-Arnold is by no means perfect in his distribution, and is clearly taking fewer risks with cross-field balls under Arne Slot this season but the ease with which he sets up raking passes is something Madrid may look to exploit Alexander-Arnold was the only player to attempt more 30-plus yard passes per game than Kroos in Europe’s big five leagues in 2023-24 Alexander-Arnold has returned to a traditional right-back role — by his own standards — since Slot arrived in the summer Alexander-Arnold has not exclusively hugged the touchline from right-back in 2024-25 there is a notably lower share of touches in the central channel of the pitch compared with 2023-24 Such versatility will be of yet more appeal to Madrid — although it is unclear who Alexander-Arnold’s coach will be when he joins. On Monday, The Athletic reported that Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid had reached an agreement over the terms of his departure His coaching staff envisioned Alexander-Arnold providing fluidity to the tactical setup and making an impact both in midfield and out wide where they could maximise his crossing ability — something that any coach would surely make use of and it remains to be seen how Alexander-Arnold would be used in his system were he to be appointed Alonso has shown greater versatility in his team formation in Germany this season but a hallmark of his invincible campaign last season was Leverkusen’s marauding wing-backs shuttling up and down the flanks — a far cry from the style that would get the best out of Alexander-Arnold Ancelotti planned to start Carvajal ahead of Alexander-Arnold at first — so he may be given more of a chance to shine immediately under a new coach While he may be operating deeper and engaging in fewer crosses and switches of play under Slot lower quantity does not equate to lower quality If anyone needed reminding of the creative threat he offers from right-back Alexander-Arnold’s pinpoint cross for Luis Diaz’s opener against Tottenham Hotspur earlier this season was his 83rd assist for the club in all competitions (he has 85 in total) Those crosses are known to be a feature of Alexander-Arnold’s game with a rate of assists that average as close to one in three across his Premier League career — numbers that would be admired by an attacking midfielder The main criticism of Alexander-Arnold is his defensive limitations, something that is viewed with relative concern at Madrid. His performance against Manchester United this term was one to forget on and off the ball but there is evidence that his defensive discipline has improved this season having benefited from greater structure out of possession under his new manager The transitional style of football played under Klopp meant Liverpool’s No 66 had the freedom to go forward which occasionally left him out of position defensively a greater out-of-possession structure means that Alexander-Arnold’s positioning and undervalued one-v-one defending have been more on show this season How Trent Alexander-Arnold's passing has changed - and the importance of the letter 'L' “I’d say he (Slot) has explained how positioning is so important in football and where you are (on the pitch) — even when the ball is on the other side,” Alexander-Arnold said in a recent interview with Sky Sports “That changes throughout games and for each game depending on how the opposition is set up and that is something I like — I like to be challenged.” Alexander-Arnold will certainly be challenged at Madrid one of the most demanding clubs in world football But they have long been sold on his talents — and he will be an asset to whoever is in charge next season (Photos: Getty Images/Design: Eamonn Dalton) The Athletic FC ⚽ is The Athletic’s daily football (or soccer, if you prefer) newsletter. Sign up to receive it directly to your inbox Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision has been made We’re bringing you the breaking news of his confirmed Liverpool departure 🔴 Inside Trent’s departure 🏆 Kane toasts a first major trophy 👀 A topsy-turvy top-five race 🧱 Ref debut ended by ‘brick wall’ Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 20-year association with Liverpool will come to an end in the summer The 26-year-old’s anticipated departure has been confirmed eight days after winning a second Premier League title with his boyhood club The bright lights of Real Madrid are calling As James Pearce and Mario Cortegana write it was the biggest decision of his life homegrown player to leave the club on a free transfer as he approaches the best years of his career is nightmare scenario territory when it comes to running a football club Alexander-Arnold entering the final two years of his contract in the summer of 2023 coincided with a period of upheaval behind the scenes at Liverpool with no long-term sporting director in place Klopp’s bombshell announcement in January 2024 that he would be departing the club as well as the subsequent search for his successor meant contract talks with Alexander-Arnold took a back seat until April 2024 Alexander-Arnold will tread the same path as Steve McManaman and Michael Owen in swapping Liverpool for Madrid Alexander-Arnold leaves a very different Liverpool to the one his predecessors did His decision to depart was complicated further by the relationship he formed with new head coach Arne Slot having achieved everything he could have dreamed of at Liverpool the England full-back felt it was time for a new challenge to unlock his full potential. He informed Slot of his decision in March Conor Bradley has proved a capable deputy over the past two seasons, but Andy Jones and Mark Carey have already assessed how else Liverpool can replace him Tempting world-class players to the Bernabeu at the end of their contract has become trademark Madrid — just ask Kylian Mbappe The Spanish giants have been confident of completing Alexander-Arnold’s signing since November and a six-year deal is in the works Madrid have not strengthened at right-back since 2019 and Alexander-Arnold freshens up a position where Dani Carvajal is sidelined with a long-term knee injury and Lucas Vazquez but having written a perfect ending at Liverpool it’s time for Alexander-Arnold’s next instalment The Premier League’s top five race is seemingly the one that no one wants to win Arsenal have had second place in the bag all season, but Saturday’s defeat by Bournemouth means they have won just one of their last five in the top flight. Arteta expressed “anger, rage and frustration” at full time after his side let a 1-0 lead slip — that’s now 21 points dropped from winning positions this season Newcastle United also dropped points at Brighton & Hove Albion despite being awarded three penalties (OK, two were then overturned by VAR). Still, their comeback draw was a cause for positivity for head coach Eddie Howe and it keeps them above Chelsea — who beat champions Liverpool 3-1 — on goals scored we asked you to name the seven seasons in which multiple English clubs have won European trophies 1967-68 (Manchester United: European Cup Leeds United: Inter-Cities Fairs Cup); 1969-70 (Manchester City: Cup Winner’s Cup Arsenal: Inter-Cities Fairs Cup); 1970-71 (Chelsea: Cup Winner’s Cup Leeds United: Inter-Cities Fairs Cup); 1980-81 (Liverpool: European Cup Ipswich Town: UEFA Cup); 1983-84 (Liverpool: European Cup Tottenham Hotspur: UEFA Cup); 2018-19 (Liverpool: Champions League Chelsea: Europa League); 2022-23 (Manchester City: Champions League Premier League: Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest, 3pm/8pm — USA Network Fubo/Sky Sports; WSL: Brighton & Hove Albion Women vs Arsenal Women 11am/4pm — ESPN+/Sky Sports; Serie A: Genoa vs Milan Fubo/OneFootball; La Liga: Girona vs Real Mallorca After refereeing more than 500 professional matches, official David Webb took charge of a Premier League game for the first time on Saturday. His debut lasted just 22 minutes after in Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy’s words Leicester striker Jamie Vardy was on hand to add another clip to his highlights reel of antics taking Webb’s hand and blowing his whistle to stop play (Top photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Ali Rampling is a News Editor at The Athletic. Prior to joining The Athletic, she worked as the Women's Football Editor at 90min. Ali attended Loughborough University, and originates from Ipswich. Follow Ali on Twitter @AliRampling few fighters can compete with Teofimo Lopez The two-division world champion's brilliance materialized in the ring against previously unbeaten Arnold Barboza Jr Lopez cruised to a unanimous decision to retain his WBO junior welterweight championship Friday in the unique setting of Times Square 13 KOs) routinely beat Barboza to the punch easily evaded his opponent's offense and was too skilled was coming off a unanimous decision win over Steve Claggett But Lopez faced questions about reaching his full potential over his past few fights He put those concerns to rest with a dominant performance against a slick boxer who had been undefeated Barboza (32-1) entered the fight after an impressive split decision victory over Jack Catterall in February but quickly realized he wasn't ready for the challenge against "The Takeover." After cruising to a unanimous decision against previously unbeaten Arnold Barboza Jr Teofimo Lopez called out undefeated unified welterweight champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis. Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty ImagesLopez's physical advantages were on display early as he was elusive slipping punches and frequently landing counters Barboza worked hard to jab his way inside but couldn't keep pace with the supremely talented Lopez mixing some showboating with his pinpoint accuracy a powerful counter right hand and sharp reflexes but the California fighter's lack of power made that outcome highly unlikely Lopez is looking for bigger obstacles and called out undefeated unified welterweight champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis I go after the tough challenges," Lopez said I'm Dora the Explorer and I'm looking for Boots." Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to exit Liverpool FC after a 20-year tenure at the club The 26-year-old announced his departure earlier on Monday He will be exiting the club when his contract expires on June 30 The soccer player joined Liverpool’s Academy at 6 years old and made his senior debut in 2016. He has made 352 appearances so far, has scored 23 goals and helped achieve eight major honors, according to a press release achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to here,” Alexander-Arnold said And I think now is the right time for me to do that,” he added about the reason for his departure The soccer star helped his team win this season’s Premier League title the noise [around my decision] doesn’t take away from the fact of what we’ve achieved this season,” he said Alexander-Arnold also thanked Liverpool fans who have been adamant supporters of his successes on the team I hope they have felt that has been reciprocated and that I’ve given everything I could to the club.” Rumors have been circulating concerning Alexander-Arnold’s next move. He may join Real Madrid and talks are currently in a very advanced stage, according to BBC Sport Senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel There would need to be a “hugely unexpected turn of events” to prevent him from joining the Spanish team However, it remains to be seen if a deal will be confirmed prior to Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign Get relevant content delivered to you once a week Ready to dive in Select your preferences and get ready for an experience tailored just for you *by clicking Subscribe you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced he is leaving Liverpool when his contract expires this summer made the announcement on his social media channels and it is widely expected he will join Real Madrid on a free transfer on July 1 Alexander-Arnold said that after 20 years at Liverpool he wanted to challenge himself and try something different “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,” Alexander-Arnold said 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… pic.twitter.com/emAw5RvXq0 He will go down as one of the best full backs in Premier League history and one of Liverpool’s greatest ever right backs Alexander-Arnold won two Premier League titles League Cup and Club World Cup during his professional career at Liverpool And he was key in so many of those successes After coming through the academy and breaking into the first team as a teenager under Jurgen Klopp Alexander-Arnold has been a revelation with stunning goals assists and deliveries from the right flank his hallmark He is currently the defender with the most assists in Premier League history with 64 Alexander-Arnold has been a mainstay in some of the greatest teams in Liverpool’s history Only Salah has made more appearances in all competitions for Liverpool since Alexander-Arnold made his debut while Alexander-Arnold has racked up 86 assists and 109 goal involvements in his 352 appearances for the club he’s had critics when it comes to his defensive duties but what he offers in attack more than outweighs the odd defensive mistake and he was a midfielder before he was turned into an attacking right back Alexander-Arnold in full flow is a joy to watch and he can pull off passes free kicks and crosses others can only dream about Liverpool fans will be upset to lose one of their own but Alexander-Arnold has won everything he could at the club It truly seems like he wants a fresh challenge and to try something new Alexander-Arnold leaving this summer always seemed like the likely outcome and it will be intriguing to see how he gets on at Real Madrid A Division of NBCUniversal. DISCLAIMER: This site and the products offered are for entertainment purposes only, and there is no gambling offered on this site. This service is intended for adult audiences. No guarantees are made for any specific outcome. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1-800-GAMBLER. "I can’t wait to talk about terminating pollution together in Vienna," Schwarzenegger captioned the photo of himself, DeVito and Tony Blair, in part Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty The right-back is expected to join Real Madrid at the conclusion of his contract at Anfield I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed he is leaving the club at the end of the season calling his impending departure the "hardest decision" of his life While Liverpool fans have mixed reactions to the news Alexander-Arnold's teammates of past and present are showing their support on social media Mohamed Salah shared four photos with his long-time teammate and wrote the following message for Alexander-Arnold on X: It’s been a pleasure sharing a special friendship with you and playing alongside you. I wish you the best and I am sure we will meet again. @TrentAA pic.twitter.com/6AtSSEkNtm "It's been a pleasure sharing a special friendship with you and playing alongside you I wish you the best and I am sure we will meet again." Curtis Jones reposted Alexander-Arnold's announcement video on Instagram and shared Curtis Jones showed his support on Trent Alexander-Arnold's farewell announcement / @trentarnold66 on InstragramCody Gakpo also referred to the right back as a "legend" while Harvey Elliott wrote Konstantinos Tsimikas and Dominik Szoboszlai shared Alexander-Arnold's video as well Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson responded with the following message for Alexander-Arnold: Jordan Henderson shared a heartfelt message with Trent Alexander-Arnold on Instragram / @trentarnold66 on Instagram"What a journey! It's been amazing to see you grow as a player and a person over the years Thank you for everything and good luck with the next chapter...just keep being you and challenging yourself every day Liverpool also released a statement following Alexander-Arnold's farewell video that ended with "Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success." Arne Slot has yet to comment on Alexander-Arnold's impending move AMANDA LANGELLAmanda Langell is a Sports Illustrated Soccer freelance writer covering the European game and international competitions. Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has broken his silence on his future and confirmed he is leaving Anfield after 20 years at the club. 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 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 As Trent Alexander-Arnold announces he is leaving Liverpool this summer The Scout highlights the right-back’s incredible numbers from his nine seasons in Fantasy Premier League Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) broke new ground for defenders in Fantasy Premier League Across his 257 appearances for Liverpool he has amassed 1,278 points providing 73 assists and keeping 96 clean sheets so far Those performances have seen him rewarded with 170 bonus points He holds the record of being the only defender to surpass 200 points in two separate seasons doing so first in 2019/20 and again in 2021/22 he's made five successive appearances in the end-of-season Dream Team *appearance in end-of-season Dream Team**three matches left to play Should Alexander-Arnold remain No 1 in the defender standings this season he will become the first player to finish as the top-scoring defender three times He would also equal John Terry's accomplishment of featuring in the end-of-season Dream Team on a total of six occasions Alexander-Arnold set Fantasy managers back £8.6m a price he reached in Gameweek 24 of last season Not since 2005/06 has a defender cost as much He announced himself to Fantasy managers in Gameweek 20 of 2017/18 with the first of his 38 double-figure hauls, a 14-point return in a 5-0 win at home to Swansea City More than 2.1million managers will have fond memories of his best-ever Gameweek score of 24 points in Liverpool's 4-0 win away to Leicester City in 2019/20 His creativity sets him apart from his contemporaries Alexander-Arnold has had four seasons in which he's supplied at least 10 assists in FPL one campaign more than his team-mate Andy Robertson (£5.8m) Alexander-Arnold has racked up 91 attacking returns in Fantasy At his most-popular Alexander-Arnold was found in 60.1 per cent of teams he would be bought by more than 872,000 for Double Gameweek 25 his largest number of transfers for a Gameweek He rewarded his new owners with back-to-back clean sheets and a 13-point return Alexander-Arnold ranks as Liverpool's most-successful defender in Fantasy having produced a return in 138 matches gaining eight points more than Reds legend Jamie Carragher across his career Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player When Liverpudlians really respect a footballer Steven Gerrard, the club’s garlanded former captain, was “Stevie”; “Carra“ referred to Jamie Carragher, a long-serving and distinguished centre-half. Trent Alexander-Arnold became known simply as “Trent” and name-checked with the kind of casual affection that suggested his number was punched into the phone of everyone in the city He was one of them, an ordinary Scouser achieving extraordinary things: playing 100 games and winning the Champions League by the time he was 21; helping end a 30-year wait for a domestic championship and destined Instead, aged 26, he is walking away. Alexander-Arnold will not be renewing his contract at the end of a 2024-25 campaign that has ended with another Premier League title with his future now seemingly tied to Spain He is expected to move to Real Madrid on a free transfer in the coming weeks.  It is the end of a very modern kind of fairy tale of the local boy who dreamed of leading the club he grew up supporting but who has now turned his back on them.  Alexander-Arnold waited outside Liverpool’s old Melwood training ground and peered through the gaps in the grey walls The family home was on the Queens Drive ring road that arcs around the east of the city from working class Bootle in the north to the more prosperous Aigburth in the south.  If anything, Alexander-Arnold’s family background had more direct links with Manchester United, Liverpool’s great rivals and the team they have drawn level with on 20 league titles His mother’s cousin, John Alexander, worked as United’s club secretary Sir Alex Ferguson — United’s legendary manager — revealed in his autobiography that his first serious girlfriend was Doreen Carling Carling subsequently moved to New York City meaning that Alexander-Arnold was eligible to play for the United States national team.  Alexander-Arnold’s arrival at Liverpool involved some fortune As a pupil at St Matthew’s Primary School on Queens Drive he was drawn out of a hat to attend a summer camp at the academy in Kirkby his mother Diane was approached by Liverpool — but the club had a problem Registration rules meant they were unable to sign him for another year and this instead led to him joining a junior team with links to the academy Liverpool were able to maintain a close eye on his development and keep their rivals from taking him away.  Alexander-Arnold played as a centre-forward back then he would drop in at centre-back to protect it Country Park had a corner and Alexander-Arnold wanted to take it A warning came his way: if the opponent broke away and scored It seemed as though that might happen until Alexander-Arnold sprinted back towards his own goal and stretched out his leg to trip up the opposition forward the coaches realised it said everything about his desire He would slowly learn about professional standards he took defeat badly and sometimes his behaviour at home suffered a businessman who once traded in commodities Diane was in charge and she would call Kirkby telling the coaches she wasn’t going to allow her son to attend the next training session Figures at Liverpool became used to this process and played along Alexander-Arnold would show up despite the threats Diane thought he was intelligent enough to go to university one day probably studying something relating to sport Alexander-Arnold had no idea he was making his first Premier League start for Liverpool — at Manchester United in January 2017 — until he was told by Jurgen Klopp at lunchtime on the day of the game His reaction was to rush to his hotel room and call Diane Following a 1-1 draw and a fearless individual performance from the 18-year-old it would be another three months before his next start in the top flight and on that occasion at Stoke he was hauled off at half-time with Liverpool losing 1-0 there was always a sense that Alexander-Arnold had a chance of establishing himself When Steven Gerrard met reporters at Anfield in the summer of 2017 Liverpool’s greatest figure in the 21st century was two years out from leaving the club as a player having watched closely the talent coming through in his final years as captain he could see something of himself in the teenager he was unafraid to embrace pressure and expectation Alexander-Arnold told reporters it was his “dream” to lead the club and that he would “not be satisfied” until he had done so Gerrard’s exit had left a void in the Liverpool team in all sorts of ways but especially in terms of identity: between 2015 and 2017 Gerrard had been coached by Steve Heighway If a baton had been passed between generations Representing Liverpool as a local player is an honour Shankly used to send his team out with the message “Don’t let them down” almost civic responsibility that comes with playing for the club and the city it is named after When Carragher filled in for Gerrard as captain he would cancel any post-match arrangements if the team lost aware of the optics of being seen to be revelling in the aftermath of a defeat.  Away from the pitch, the demands and constraints placed on homegrown talents can test their loyalty. Even Gerrard considered leaving, for Chelsea in 2005,  although that was also because he thought there was a higher chance of sustained success in west London Yet it tends to be that if a local player leaves Anfield Alexander-Arnold’s experience was slightly different to each of his Merseyside-born predecessors While he eventually decided to move to Cheshire escaping some of the glare of living in the city the Liverpool team that emerged under Klopp was better than the one Roy Evans created or the ones that Gerrard and Carragher came to define he would win the Premier League twice — a feat Gerrard and Carragher never achieved once — but even before that with a mural painted on Sybil Road in the shadow of Anfield It still bears the quote uttered after the Champions League final triumph in 2019: “I’m just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has just come true.” Except everything that Alexander-Arnold was achieving was anything but normal Alexander-Arnold was two years out from the end of his Liverpool contract His sixth season in the first team had finished with unprecedented disappointment: a fifth-place finish in the Premier League meant the following campaign would with Gordon also stepping aside from his duties It did not seem like Liverpool were heading in the right direction a temporary solution was found with Klopp hiring his own sporting director but German Jorg Schmadtke was only allowed to deal with first-team transfers under the direction of the manager It was unclear who was dealing with player retention — with Gordon returning to the scene briefly and meaningful dialogue did not take place Though Liverpool picked up on the pitch and threatened to win another Premier League title the possibility fizzled away after Klopp announced his intention to leave in January 2024 increasing the uncertainty across the club Alexander-Arnold had come to think of himself as an “elite” athlete referencing the term several times in interviews just at the point where a contract impasse was forcing him to think about his own future Yet none of this had hindered his own quest for self-improvement The summer of 2023 started at the innovation hub of his then-boot sponsor After mountain hiking and high-altitude training he told reporters that he was returning to Merseyside in the best shape of his career on the club’s pre-season tour of South East Asia he was appointed as Liverpool’s vice-captain how long would it take for his successor to restore them to their perch it was hardly surprising that Alexander-Arnold began to contemplate what a future might look like elsewhere It remains unclear at which point he told Liverpool of his intention to move on or how strongly the club made a play of keeping him Yet there is no doubt owner Fenway Sports Group missed the opportunity to intercept him casting side-glances in the final 12 months of the Klopp era The young Alexander-Arnold would follow them upstairs at Melwood to watch what they were eating and study their attitude in training everything was laid out for him through development programmes and one-on-one meetings with coaches who told him what he needed to work on and how he should lead his life it was every player for himself — there was less guidance about what to do away from the training ground It all helped him become more independent-minded Alexander-Arnold would see less-talented players trying desperately to force their way into Klopp’s thinking. Kevin Stewart, his elder by five years, played 20 times for Liverpool before leaving for Hull City just as Alexander-Arnold was about to establish himself as the team’s right back Stewart used only his left foot to try and stimulate improvement and Klopp gave him chances because of his bravery he was never afraid of risk and his game was defined by such spirit who would challenge him in free-kick competitions after training sessions When footage was released by the club’s media channels in 2020 Alexander-Arnold was annoyed because Van Dijk’s conversion rate was better This was just before the Covid-19 pandemic a period that allowed him to retreat to his Cheshire garden taking shots so often at a specially-bought goal that he ended up destroying the frame Alexander-Arnold’s dedication to maximising his football talent is matched by his determination to fulfil his commercial potential As his career has blossomed, so have his endorsements: Adidas replaced Under Armour as his boot supplier in November 2023 agreeing to give him one of the biggest boot deals in football in the process and he has long been an ambassador for Red Bull These deals often came with some kind of sporting dimension — Red Bull sent him on a vision-training programme in June 2021 to help increase his spatial awareness — but not always.  two months after he had told ITV that his priority to win the Ballon d’Or and “change the game” now eclipsed his ambition to captain Liverpool, a billboard for Guess Jeans appeared in the centre of Madrid Though the same advert had appeared in Italian and Dutch cities over the previous months, and Alexander-Arnold has long had an interest in fashion (he has attended Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks in recent years) it was the installation in Felipe II square which ramped up speculation that the player was beginning to expand his horizons beyond England’s north-west.  While FSG continues to try to find ways to maximise Liverpool’s reach Madrid is established as football’s greatest global force And while Alexander-Arnold retains a close bond with his family (his brother That opens up the world both in a sporting and economic sense — a point he has presumably recognised in his friend Jude Bellingham, whose own commercial appeal has rocketed since he moved to the Bernabeu from Borussia Dortmund Alexander-Arnold is an intelligent man, with a head for strategy (he is one of several Premier League players to enjoy chess and it is inconceivable that he has not spent significant time thinking about and plotting his career path.  The video he posted on his social media platforms announcing his Liverpool departure delivered in candid straight-down-the-camera fashion He was keen to stress that his decision was “not about trying to find something better” but about his “personal journey as a player” an irony that Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool just when the club look better placed than at any point since the 2020 title win to emerge as English football’s dominant force but have fallen short for the third year running The curious timing gives another twist to the question that fans are now pondering: what is his legacy at Liverpool Alexander-Arnold will certainly be remembered as a great player he could not bring himself to put himself in a place where he might have to face Liverpool Madrid offers no such certainty for Alexander-Arnold The Spaniards have been regular opponents for Liverpool in European competition over the last decade and it seems inconceivable that the player’s path will not cross his old club’s in the coming years.  Alexander-Arnold acknowledged that his move was unlikely to be popular an “emotional” decision but that his love for the club “will never diminish” and he hoped to return to watch games “whenever possible” Quite what reception he would be afforded by Anfield is open to question Liverpool supporters do not generally turn on their own but reputations at the club are sometimes defined by final acts he will always be “Trent” and remembered fondly as a key figure in the Klopp revolution that delivered virtually every trophy that was worth winning Yet the fact is another club will now benefit from what are likely to be his best years as a player And that means a place in Liverpool’s all-time pantheon may now prove beyond him Simon Hughes is a senior writer who joined The Athletic from The Independent in 2019. His latest book Chasing Salah was released in 2024. He has also written There She Goes, a modern social history of Liverpool as a city Follow Simon on Twitter @Simon_Hughes__ Football writer Adrian Clarke compares Conor Bradley with the player he could replace as Liverpool's first-choice right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold's announcement that he will leave Liverpool this summer has reopened the question as to whether the club have a ready-made replacement in Conor Bradley Bradley did replace Alexander-Arnold for the final half-hour of Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Chelsea Liverpool's first match since being confirmed as Premier League champions but whether he can do it every week from next season is up for consideration here The outstanding quality shown by Alexander-Arnold since emerging from the Liverpool Academy to make his debut in 2016 marks him down as one of the best it feels a little unfair on 21-year-old Bradley to draw firm parallels As far as this season has been concerned though the Northern Irishman has shown a little more attacking dynamism than his vastly experienced team-mate Bradley has displayed plenty of ambition and attacking zest and is perhaps more comfortable at running with the ball at his feet That drive has taken Bradley into the opposition penalty area with far greater frequency than Alexander-Arnold averaging six touches in that domain per 90 minutes This is way in advance of the England international A prime example of what Bradley brings to the side was seen when he produced his first assist of the campaign for Luis Diaz away to Fulham to demand a pass that freed him up in space down the centre of the pitch carrying the ball to the edge of the box before slipping Diaz in for a shot on goal It was a quality piece of play that marks him out as being different in style to Alexander-Arnold a player who tends to hurt rival teams more with his brilliant passing Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been less inclined than predecessor Jurgen Klopp to ask Alexander-Arnold to take up central midfield positions But it is the younger man who powers on up the pitch with a lot more regularity when you analyse the Englishman’s heat map and compare it with Bradley’s below Trent is more inclined to drift further infield and he does more defensive work inside his own box than Bradley When it comes to whipping dangerous crosses into the box opening up the opposition with an incisive pass or switching the point of attack with a raking long ball there is no one to compare with Alexander-Arnold he is arguably the world’s best right-back His creative numbers compared to those of Bradley who has played around a quarter of the minutes this season when Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool this summer there is no real possibility that Bradley can step in and replicate exactly the same output from right-back A change of style and expectancy would be required from Liverpool’s right-back in 2025/26 This shot and assist graphic signifies what the Reds would be losing in Alexander-Arnold: Alexander-Arnold’s defending has often been unfairly criticised and he has undoubtedly made good strides in that aspect of his play Yet the raw statistics do still tell us that when it comes to duels it is Bradley who offers a touch more reliability and strength The Northern Ireland international wins a greater number of 50-50s and is especially good at pressurising opponents when they have the ball at their feet He will close players down with a lot of enthusiasm In 1v1s it is also the less experienced player who proves tougher to beat with a dribble Alexander-Arnold's many outstanding contributions as a super-creative full-back will live long in the memory of Liverpool’s supporters Given he has helped the club to win eight trophies he should be remembered as an Anfield legend his place in Liverpool’s folklore is assured Yet the 21-year-old does still have plenty to offer even if it means Slot’s Liverpool will have to compensate in other areas of the pitch for Alexander-Arnold's now-confirmed departure The TimesArnold Schwarzenegger vowed to “terminate pollution” as he promoted an international climate conference with the help of Sir Tony Blair and Danny DeVito The Hollywood action hero posted a picture of himself next to an outdoor swimming pool with the former prime minister and DeVito “I love bringing old friends together!” Schwarzenegger wrote “It was fantastic to see my dear friend Tony Blair and introduce him to my brother I can’t wait to talk about terminating pollution together in Vienna at the @schwarzeneggerclimate summit!” • Arnold Schwarzenegger adds muscle to climate change fight with Cop26 visit the former Republican governor of California set up his climate initiative after leaving office in 2011 and launched 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 “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 © Planet Sport Limited 2025 • All Rights Reserved By LEWIS STEELE IN the shadows of Anfield on the corner of Sybil Road, there are 13 words etched on to a street-art mural with a painting of Trent Alexander-Arnold in his No 66 shirt ‘I’m just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has just come true,’ it reads there are kids posing for pictures in front of it They are most probably being inspired by this local lad who had a dream and made it a reality by breaking through and winning trophies at his boyhood club Thousands of those youngsters will have thought that one day Alexander-Arnold is the man who lives out their childhood ambitions of playing for Liverpool those aforementioned dreams are just not enough any more He outlived them, wants a new challenge and sees Real Madrid as the place to achieve his new dreams His future is not lifting trophies at his beloved Liverpool but testing himself in the Spanish capital Trent Alexander-Arnold will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham tactfully avoided questions about his friend in November but his response indicated the direction of travel The Scouser ends his 20-year association with the club having won two Premier League titles and a Champions League among other prizes this was the worst-kept secret in football (second is that his new boss will not be current Real Madrid gaffer Carlo Ancelotti but former Reds icon Xabi Alonso) The outcome had been in the works for months and you did not need to be a qualified body-language expert to work out where the saga was heading set in the bowels of Anfield on a November evening but more the facial expressions of his good pal and soon-to-be club team-mate Jude Bellingham The England superstar was talking in the media room to preview Real Madrid’s visit to Liverpool – the Premier League champions recorded an emphatic 2-0 win by the way – and Bellingham was asked for his thoughts on Alexander-Arnold’s future then looked down at the table to compose himself before giving a media-trained answer: ‘I’ll be playing alongside him next year… for England He’s a Liverpool player and it would be disrespectful to talk about (a move) You could tell in his eye that Bellingham knew the direction of travel then Liverpool still had hope that they would extend Alexander-Arnold’s deal at Anfield sporting director Richard Hughes initiated contact before he had officially moved from Bournemouth to Liverpool last summer The Glaswegian transfer guru’s very first phone call in the job was to Alexander-Arnold’s representatives but that call 14 months ago was probably too late His decision to leave was not set in stone but the seeds of doubt about his future were blooming apace in the player’s mind Alexander-Arnold lapped up the acclaim of the Anfield crowd when the Reds were confirmed as Premier League champions last week Reds fans have clung to hopes of a late U-turn by the 26-year-old full back  A leadership issue saw Liverpool plough through sporting directors — Hughes was the third to be appointed since 2022 after Julian Ward and a short stay for Jorg Schmadtke — and it meant initial talks over a new deal started later than all parties may have liked Jurgen Klopp pulled him to one side in Singapore in summer 2023 to tell him he was being made vice-captain but due to a busy transfer window the idea of extending Alexander-Arnold’s deal was somewhat stalled Hughes cannot be blamed for the fact the England international is leaving The Liverpool hierarchy is said to be satisfied they did all in their power to tempt him to stay including a big-money offer that would have made him the best-paid full back in the country But despite cordial negotiations it soon became clear that Alexander-Arnold saw his future elsewhere and formal discussions were halted in March of this year when the player requested a face-to-face meeting with Arne Slot at the club’s Kirkby HQ He told him that he was planning to leave and that the decision was nothing against Slot or the current regime just that he wanted to challenge himself elsewhere The Dutch boss was understandably disappointed but reacted well Other managers may have seen the red mist descend and took action against the wantaway star – by not picking him for the XI for example – but all parties came together and concluded they still had a common goal to win the Premier League The fact the news is now public will not change this either and Alexander-Arnold remains a key part of the team in the last three games though his heir Conor Bradley is pushing for a start on Sunday against Arsenal Whether they sign a new right back or not remains to be seen Real Madrid could not legally enter into talks until January 1 and sources insist this was the case but the Spanish champions must have had some sort of encouragement before then given they made an unsolicited approach to sign him early in the January transfer window Reports suggesting he wanted the same sky-high salaries as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are said to be wildly wide of the mark His England colleague Bellingham has played a role in tempting him to the LaLiga giants Alexander-Arnold will have three more matches in Liverpool red before he waves goodbye to the Anfield faithful That approach came on December 30 and was swiftly rejected by Liverpool Alexander-Arnold was on a short getaway in Venice at the time and was unaware of it until a few minutes before it became common news at 5pm on New Year’s Eve Mail Sport was the first English newspaper to report that Real Madrid were confident and starting to plan for life with Alexander-Arnold Sources in Spain say that local media were briefed in February that he would sign but to keep it a secret out of respect Liverpool fans clung on to hope that a U-turn could occur but all the noise was that it was a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ Alexander-Arnold was pulling on the famous white jersey of Real Madrid and doing kick-ups at his Santiago Bernabeu unveiling So why and how did he reach the decision to leave His decision was never driven by money and both parties were realistic on this Alexander-Arnold did not like the comparisons to Michael Owen and Steve McManaman who both left Liverpool for Real Madrid two decades ago as his situation is different: he has won everything there is to win at Liverpool whereas those two had to leave to chase trophies He spent time weighing up the pros and cons of an exit and saw the fact he was next in line for the Reds captaincy as the pinnacle for a local lad But the allure of Real Madrid was just too much To use his good mate Jude Bellingham’s words: ‘When Real Madrid comes knocking It is hard not to open it and to accept it.’ To stick on that analogy Florentino Perez came to the door and Alexander-Arnold invited him in for a cuppa Speaking to Mail Sport earlier in the year Owen explained to us: ‘I had the opportunity to do what Trent's doing (leave Liverpool for Madrid) I chose that because I thought that'd be an amazing experience ‘You lose a little bit of control after that you're out there and if you're doing well or not doing well then you're not that attached and ingrained to a club like you used to be the positives of going to Real Madrid are there for all to see ‘Playing with one of the biggest teams in the world or probably the biggest team in the world could be quite tempting.’ The lifestyle change is up there with his primary reasons but the main one is to embark on a new challenge in his professional capacity He has vocalised his desire to win personal accolades such as the Ballon d’Or and playing at Real Madrid gives a good platform to do that There is also the celebrity aspect and he is often doing fashion shoots that appear on billboards in cities like Milan and he is an investor in Formula One team Alpine and is a regular in the Grand Prix paddocks He also pocketed £26million for his adidas boot deal signed in late 2023 and the German sportswear giants see him as one of their faces of European football played a role in tempting him to the Bernabeu The pair were pictured on rollercoasters together last summer – with Alexander-Arnold signing autographs for a young Real fan – and surely the topic came up But now the worst-kept secret in football is out Alexander-Arnold will be the latest Galactico signing for Real Madrid and Anfield will have to wave adios to the Scouse heartbeat of their team – whether they like it or not The comments below have not been moderated By posting your comment you agree to our house rules Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline To do 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Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group As Trent Alexander-Arnold confirms he will leave Anfield this summer, football writer Alex Keble analyses how the much-admired right-back has redefined his position while starring for Liverpool Trent Alexander-Arnold has attracted more debate and has received more critiques of his role and his abilities than any other player in living memory But in the fullness of time, after he has left Liverpool at the end of this season leaving Alexander-Arnold to be remembered plain and simply as one of the best right-backs we’ve ever seen crystallising the best times with a misty-eyed nostalgia and softening arguments that felt so important at the time but come to seem so petty in retrospect is the image of Alexander-Arnold as a beautiful footballer; as a singular talent who played an irreplaceable role in the Liverpool revival The fact he is talked about so much - that he divides and confounds - is actually a testament to Alexander-Arnold’s uniqueness We’ve never really had the vocabulary to talk about Liverpool’s right-back because we’ve never seen anyone quite like him before Part-David Beckham and part-Cafu Since joining Liverpool's academy as a six-year-old Alexander-Arnold has risen through the club's ranks to win multiple trophies including two Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League and to become maybe the best right-back in the club’s history fading diagonals hit almost with the outside of the right boot; for those whipped deliveries to the back post; for the rolled-down socks and swaggering style; and for that lightning bolt of inspiration as he strolled away from the corner flag and spotted Barcelona players on their heels back in 2019 it’s hard to believe anybody could doubt his value Alexander-Arnold has 64 assists, more than any defender in Premier League history, and 82 goal involvements, second only to Leighton Baines in his position His influence on the competition since his Premier League debut in December 2016 is even more impressive highlighting how Alexander-Arnold has gone above and beyond the usual limits for a defender Since his debut, only Kevin De Bruyne, Son Heung-min and Mohamed Salah have assisted more goals, while only De Bruyne, Salah and Bruno Fernandes have created more chances *Rank among defenders since Alexander-Arnold's debut Salah and Fernandes – two No 10s and two wide forwards – can match Alexander-Arnold’s attacking output and a testament to the way he has redefined the right-back role Because even in an age of full-back revolutions He began as a flying full-back for Jurgen Klopp’s first Liverpool team defined by a narrow front three and two ultra-attacking overlappers before becoming more Beckham-esque as he hovered on the right-hand side of the penalty box Click to zoom in on image. he became an inverted right-back for Klopp’s "Liverpool 2.0" But even this description is too limited to describe him. Arne Slot has deployed Alexander-Arnold in numerous roles and within the same game we can spot Alexander-Arnold as a No 6 flitting between various jobs on the right half of the pitch positional awareness and an ability to dictate the tempo; three attributes of an excellent defender It’s true that Alexander-Arnold has been caught out a few times but his supposed defensive frailties have been enormously overstated by pundits stuck in confirmation bias: whenever he makes a mistake a spotlight is shone on Alexander-Arnold that other defenders manage to avoid Alexander-Arnold is in the top five for clean sheets *Rank among defenders since making his debut He is also sixth for interceptions (307) and highly likely to get the three more required to enter the top five plus he has the 11th-best record for minutes per goal conceded To rank 11th for that statistic highlights the paradox implicit in any negative spin on his defending: if Alexander-Arnold isn’t good enough at the back then how come he plays for a team that’s won two Premier League titles with a mean defensive record Liverpool conceded just 22 goals in the 2018/19 Premier League season when they finished second, a mere seven short of the all-time record set by Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in 2004/05 Alexander-Arnold played in 29 of those matches He also featured heavily in the seasons when Liverpool conceded only 26 goals (2021/22) and 33 goals (2019/20) A flawed right-back could not have done that Alexander-Arnold played a starring role in the club’s glorious Champions League run he was a key player as Liverpool ended their 30-year wait to be champions and he has since helped them to win a second Premier League title There are right-backs who have won more, both in England (Gary Neville won eight league titles and two Champions Leagues) and for Liverpool (Phil Neal won the league eight times in the 1970s and 1980s and won the European Cup on four occasions) But nobody has stood out like Alexander-Arnold; nobody has garnered so much attention for their charismatic idiosyncratic and uncategorisable take on the job "If there was one player where I look at and I think 'he's very similar in the way he delivers the ball he's very similar in the way he crosses the ball or passes' on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast in October 2024 I think he's an unbelievable [player] - his vision but in the endless debate about whether Alexander-Arnold is really a full-back or whether he is good enough to be considered among the best in that position we should ask some of the greatest right-backs the world has ever seen speaking to FourFourTwo in 2022: "I admire Trent Alexander-Arnold very much He's a fantastic footballer – this guy has got world-class skills." said in December last year: "We’ve never seen passing and crossing from a right-back of that type ever and I think I can include all the great right-backs globally not just those who played in the Premier League." arguably the greatest right-back of all time speaking to BBC Sport in 2022: "His progress over the last few years has been amazing and for sure is one of the best right-backs in the world." Alexander-Arnold has been misunderstood a little but it won’t be long before history fades out the perceived downsides of his game "They said the same thing about me," Cafu said just last month speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid It is just [Alexander-Arnold’s] type of play Alexander-Arnold has been a transformative He leaves Liverpool as the greatest right-back the Premier League has ever seen Where does the departing Liverpool defender rank among these 10 iconic right and left-backs who sealed their 20th league title last month are understood to have offered Alexander-Arnold a new contract that would have made him the best paid full-back in the Premier League and one of the highest paid in the world By OLIVER HOLT I'm at a stage of life where I tend to glorify the players of yesteryear and so I think of footballers like Colin Bell as City's greatest players but I still believe  De Bruyne is better than all of them the best to pull on the famous sky-blue shirt And yet a few weeks ago, De Bruyne was informed that, after everything he had achieved in Manchester, all the titles he had won, the Premier Leagues and the Champions League he was surplus to requirements at the Etihad and that he would not be offered an extension to his contract but he seemed heartbroken to be leaving a club he loved He has been extremely well renumerated so it is hardly a sob story and I can see De Bruyne's talent is fading City fans love him and they have made that plain. I'm sure he will get a great send-off at the FA Cup final and in City's remaining league games But I don't see any protests about his impending departure Most people think it's the right move for the club De Bruyne has reached the end of his useful life at City so the answer is simple: see ya Liverpool fans have accused Trent Alexander-Arnold of betrayal after he confirmed his exit It is like Kevin De Bruyne leaving Manchester City: fans want to discard them but expect loyalty and it would have happened to Alexander-Arnold eventually There is no talk of family or of duty or of loyalty or of deception it would have happened to Alexander-Arnold and Angel Di Maria at Real Madrid and Jaap Stam at Manchester United and Andy Carroll at Newcastle and countless other players who didn't want to leave clubs that forced them out We are still oddly patriarchal about the player-club relationship as if we cannot shake ourselves free of the idea this is somehow about master and servant And so Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave is couched in pejorative terms like ingratitude and betrayal and disloyalty even though he has given 20 years of his life to a club and a set of supporters he adores None of that means I agree with statements such as 'Alexander-Arnold doesn't owe Liverpool anything' I think he owes them for the care and attention they have given to his development the brilliant coaching at the club's academy that has helped him progress and the faith shown in him by men such as Jurgen Klopp He owes Liverpool for the life they have given him and his family and he owes the fans for the adoration they have lavished on him and the emotions they have sparked in him in moments of joy and celebration Everything about how he behaves suggests Alexander-Arnold is deeply appreciative of all that has been done for him But the club and the fans owe Alexander-Arnold He has given them moments of joy and abandon and pure exultation and sheer wonderful escapism that will last for ever moments that will sit high in the iconography of a club even with Liverpool's glorious achievements about the corner taken against Barcelona at Anfield in that Champions League semi-final second leg in May 2019 the corner that fooled the Barcelona defence and set up Divock Origi to score the goal that sealed one of the greatest comebacks any of us have witnessed on one of the greatest nights English football has witnessed Alexander-Arnold owes Liverpool for the faith shown in him by the likes of boss Jurgen Klopp He also owes Liverpool for the life they have given him and his family during his time at Anfield His greatest moments do not deserve to be tarnished by idiotic accusations of ingratitude It was one of the most audacious and clever and brilliantly executed pieces of skill I've ever seen And it was just part of a groaning portfolio of sumptuous passes and curling arrowing free-kicks that have made Alexander-Arnold such a wonderful player to watch during his time at Anfield Those memories are gifts that keep on giving Those memories do not deserve to be tarnished by idiotic accusations of ingratitude The truth is Alexander-Arnold was good for Liverpool and Liverpool were good for him He has not broken his contract or agitated to leave ahead of time or refused to play or derailed Liverpool's title challenge or bad-mouthed the club or the city and made a huge contribution to the winning of a record-equalling 20th league title He should be departing for the challenge of playing abroad for Real Madrid because I loved watching him play at English league grounds but I know I'm lucky I got to see him shine for as long as I did I still hope Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari provides him with the platform he craves to win his eighth world drivers' title but the chances of that happening are looking increasingly forlorn A spat between a driver and his team is not unknown but for Hamilton to aim a public and brutally disparaging barb at Ferrari during the Miami Grand Prix by saying 'have a tea break while you're at it' to ridicule their decision-making process is the type of insult to professionalism and competence that both sides may find it hard to recover from The chances of Lewis Hamilton winning an eighth world title at Ferrari are looking very slim has won his first trophy in the professional game with Bayern Munich Only a curmudgeon – or Arsenal supporters – would begrudge Harry Kane who won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich on Sunday Kane is weighed down with individual awards for scoring feats already but his triumph in Germany is a reward for one of England's greatest goalscorers and a brilliant professional Receive emails when new obituariesare published to our website a century since Ora founded that first funeral home the Snyder family strives to honor their long-standing heritage with each family they serve the Snyder family’s goal has remained the same:  We take care of more details than the average funeral provider so you can spend 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OneFootball's home page Search Settings Sign In Sign InJoinTrent Alexander-Arnold's Potential Shirt Numbers at Real Madrid | OneFootballSI Soccer After spending his entire career at Liverpool, it looks like it is only a matter of time before Trent Alexander-Arnold dons the iconic white shirt of Real Madrid Following months of speculation, Alexander-Arnold announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season The right back joined the club's academy at age six and spent the next 20 years in Merseyside he became one of the best fullbacks in the world attracting the attention of the biggest club in the world Although Alexander-Arnold did not confirm where he is headed, all signs point to the 26-year-old joining fellow England teammate Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid Not only will Alexander-Arnold be adjusting to a new country but he will also have to say goodbye to his beloved shirt number La Liga does not allow first-team players to wear shirt numbers above 25, the maximum squad size for the season. Therefore, Alexander-Arnold will have to part ways with number 66 and choose one of the available options at Real Madrid ahead of the 2025–26 season Let's take a look at Alexander-Arnold's potential options, along with his shirt number history for both Liverpool and England Trent Alexander-Arnold has worn the number 66 shirt for his entire professional career at Liverpool Alexander-Arnold made his first senior appearance for Liverpool in 2015 against Swindon Town in a preseason friendly When he received his next first-team opportunity the following summer The right back has worn 66 for his entire senior career at Liverpool. The shirt saw Alexander-Arnold lift nine trophies, including two Premier League titles and a Champions League title and play over 350 appearances with the Reds The 26-year-old was handed the number 8 shirt ahead of Euro 2024 before returning to the number 2 after the tournament concluded 21 and 22 for the Three Lions over the years The number 12, previously worn by Real Madrid legend Marcelo As of the 2024–25 season, the only available shirt numbers at Real Madrid are 12 12 seems like the most likely option for Alexander-Arnold Not only is 12 the number worn by club legend and fellow fullback Marcelo but it also pays homage to Alexander-Arnold's favorite 66 shirt; after all Other Real Madrid players could be first in line for the number 10 shirt Both Kylian Mbappé and Bellingham wear the shirt number for their respective national teams and could want to claim the iconic jersey for themselves Arda Güler is an option to receive the shirt as well 17 and 20 become available should David Alaba Lucas Vázquez and/or Fran García leave the club this summer Once the season comes to a close, potential shirt numbers for Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid will become much clearer as the Spanish giants begin making moves in the summer transfer window Related NewsMoney talks: The amount Real Madrid are paying Alexander-Arnold as signing bonus Football transfer rumours: Rashford in Man Utd exit talks; Real Madrid suffer Alexander-Arnold setback Trent Alexander-Arnold rejected world record salary offer to stay at Liverpool Jude Bellingham's role in Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool exit revealed Details: Real Madrid star Bellingham’s role in Trent Alexander-Arnold departing Liverpool 4️⃣ things to look out for in the Champions League this week The Champions League returns with a bang this week as the finalists will be determined following some tense first leg action.Here is what to look out for...⚔️ Match of the... Tottenham get Europa League boost as Premier League confirm new Aston Villa fixture date 📽 Ten years ago: was this Messi’s most iconic goal? This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.And time stood still...There are goals that you forget, and then there are... 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 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.” Sign InJoinSocial Reaction to Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool Farewell Announcement | OneFootballSI Soccer Just one week after celebrating his second Premier League title with Liverpool calling his impending departure the "hardest decision" of his life Alexander-Arnold's teammates of past and present are showing their support on social media Curtis Jones reposted Alexander-Arnold's announcement video on Instagram and shared Cody Gakpo also referred to the right back as a "legend" while Harvey Elliott wrote Konstantinos Tsimikas and Dominik Szoboszlai shared Alexander-Arnold's video as well Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson responded with the following message for Alexander-Arnold: It's been amazing to see you grow as a player and a person over the years Liverpool also released a statement following Alexander-Arnold's farewell video that ended with "Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success." along with long-time teammates Mohamed Salah and Virgin van Dijk have yet to comment on Alexander-Arnold's impending move Related NewsMohamed Salah leads Trent Alexander-Arnold tributes after Liverpool exit confirmed Jamie Carragher on Alexander-Arnold Departure: 'I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed' Real Madrid to hand Trent Alexander-Arnold huge signing bonus The impact of Alexander-Arnold's shocking move from Liverpool to Real Madrid How Liverpool failed to agree new Trent Alexander-Arnold contract extension Sign InJoinTrent Alexander-Arnold ‘Can’t Recall’ his Worst Performance in a Liverpool Shirt – Report | OneFootballAnfield Index Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Farewell Confirmed – But Real Madrid’s Early Move Left Lasting ScarsIn a twist few Liverpool fans could have seen coming when the season began Trent Alexander-Arnold’s time at Anfield is officially drawing to a close the 26-year-old confirmed via social media that he will leave the club at the end of the season ending a two-decade-long journey that took him from Kirkby prodigy to Premier League champion But while the timing of his announcement may be measured the events leading up to it paint a picture of emotional and psychological turbulence behind the scenes According to The Daily Mail Alexander-Arnold confided in friends that he has no memory of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United in January – a match that came just days after Real Madrid launched a surprise £20 million bid for the full-back The fallout from that approach may have played a significant role in one of the defender’s worst performances in a Liverpool shirt “The La Liga side’s bid had a profound effect on the defender that evening and scrambled his head to such an extent that he fails to recall the events of the match,” the article reveals though financially modest by elite standards sent shockwaves through the Liverpool hierarchy and fanbase Former Reds defender Jamie Carragher didn’t mince his words they have bid on the back of Trent Alexander-Arnold or his agent saying ‘put a bid in’ they wouldn’t do that unless they get the say so.” While that comment may feel inflammatory to some it underlines a prevailing sense of betrayal among certain sections of the Anfield faithful it’s clear the off-field noise had begun to seep into Alexander-Arnold’s psyche It was Sporting Director Richard Hughes who reportedly made the first move to check on the right-back’s wellbeing after the game a gesture that “meant a lot” to him and hinted at the human cost of football’s brutal rumour mill Alexander-Arnold finally broke his silence now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season… This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years.” There was no mention of Madrid in the farewell message there was clarity: this is not a decision made lightly “This decision is about experiencing a new challenge taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.” Three matches now remain in Trent’s Liverpool journey It is understood that although no contract has been signed yet the move to Real Madrid – where he’ll join England teammate Jude Bellingham – is close to completion The Anfield legacy of Alexander-Arnold is already secure: he revolutionised the full-back role and helped Arne Slot secure Liverpool’s long-awaited 20th league title in his debut campaign as manager “Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success.” But that line sits in contrast to the sting of January’s trauma and speculation that has hovered since December – with Mail Sport being the first to report Madrid’s growing confidence back then but wounds – both personal and collective – will take time to heal Not because a player is leaving – that happens – but because of how it’s happened Trent Alexander-Arnold has been more than a player to us And yet this Real Madrid bid – this January madness – cast a shadow How could the club allow such a moment of vulnerability to go unmanaged If Trent was that affected that he couldn’t remember a match against our fiercest rivals And Jamie Carragher’s comments… they’re hard to ignore If there’s even a fraction of truth to the idea that someone in Trent’s camp encouraged Madrid it’s a betrayal that stings more than any transfer fee could soothe But maybe we expected more loyalty from a lad who was one of us His words were beautiful – but they can’t erase the bitterness of seeing him in white while we’re left filling a hole that’s more than tactical Related NewsReport: Liverpool could strike a deal for £51m midfield powerhouse if head-turning offer is made Four Liverpool Starlets Who Would Benefit from Multi-Club Model Mohamed Salah leads Trent Alexander-Arnold tributes after Liverpool exit confirmed Arsenal make guard of honour decision ahead of Liverpool clash at Anfield Liverpool interested in bringing VfB Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller to the Premier League US EditionUK EditionScottish SunIrish SunSearchMy Account SEO and Live Blogs WriterPublished: Invalid Date Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed that after 20 years at Liverpool He is now expected to announce his next club is Real Madrid, where talkSPORT understands he will sign a five-year contract and he will move to the Spanish capital once it ends there is still a way the Reds could pocket a transfer fee Real Madrid are set to play in the Club World Cup, starting in June, and if they want Alexander-Arnold to be involved, they would need to agree a fee with Liverpool the Englishman will officially still be under contract at Liverpool A report in The Sun suggests that Liverpool are looking for Los Blancos to pay them €1 million, which is around £850,000, to let Alexander-Arnold leave two weeks before the expiry of his contract. talkSPORT's Ben Jacobs understands that Real are willing to offer around £500,000 to get the deal done, so some negotiation is going to be required. If Real Madrid and Liverpool agree a deal on compensation, it's possible Alexander-Arnold will make his debut in just over a month. that might be the first time we see Alexander Arnold in a Real Madrid shirt after 20 years with his boyhood club Should the two teams fail to reach an agreement Alexander-Arnold would have to wait until after the Club World Cup to make his debut and it would probably be in pre-season later this year Alexander-Arnold confirmed he was leaving Liverpool he 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 "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." we're happy to send you some reminders Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications Home> Football> Football News> Liverpool 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 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 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 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