Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will leave Liverpool when his contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season.
The right-back, who is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, has decided it’s time for a new challenge after spending 20 years at his boyhood club.
Alexander-Arnold had been in talks with the club over a new deal, but unlike teammates Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, he has chosen not to extend his stay. Liverpool offered him a contract that would have made him one of the best-paid full-backs in the world, but money was never the driving factor.
The 26-year-old believes it’s the right moment to step out of his comfort zone, having already won every major trophy with the Reds.
Sporting director Richard Hughes prioritised talks with Trent and even contacted him before officially starting his role. But after a final meeting in the spring, Alexander-Arnold informed new manager Arne Slot of his decision to move on. While he respected and enjoyed working with Slot, his mind was made up.
Real Madrid approached just before the January transfer window, which Liverpool rejected. Although nothing has been signed yet, the La Liga giants are expected to land him in the summer.
Trent recently helped Liverpool win their second Premier League title under Jürgen Klopp. Since debuting in 2016, he has played 352 games for the club and scored 23 goals. His latest strike came against Leicester two weeks ago.
His exit could see Conor Bradley promoted to first-choice right-back, or Slot may dip into the transfer market.
Confirming the news on X, Alexander-Arnold wrote:
“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.
AdvertisementThis is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life. I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No.20.
This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.
AdvertisementBut, 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.
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.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody – my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff and our incredible supporters – for the last 20 years.
AdvertisementI’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.
My love for this club will never die.”
