According to reports, the long-awaited news has finally been announced as Alexander-Arnold confirmed his departure from Liverpool in a video message, with Real Madrid being his next destination.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool’s defensive pillar, announced his summer exit from the club. The right-back is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, ending a twenty-year association with Liverpool.

Alexander-Arnold said in an emotional statement: “After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, I can now confirm I will leave the team at the end of the season. This is the hardest decision I’ve made in my life. I know many of you were curious or frustrated that I hadn’t spoken about this before, but I always intended to focus completely on the team’s interests – winning the twentieth championship.

This club has been my whole life, my whole world for 20 years. From the academy to today, the support and love I’ve felt from everyone inside and outside the club will stay with me forever. I will always be grateful to you. But I’ve never experienced anything else, and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, stepping out of my comfort zone, and advancing my professional and personal life. Every day I was at this club, I gave my all, and I hope you feel I’ve given something back to you during this time.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank all the coaches, managers, teammates, staff, and our incredible fans for these 20 years.

I was lucky to live my dreams here and will never forget the special moments I’ve experienced with you. My love for this club will never fade.”

Alexander-Arnold, at 26, bids farewell to Anfield with two Premier League titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup, two League Cups, one Club World Cup, and one UEFA Super Cup in his trophy cabinet. The vice-captain, who was negotiating a contract extension, decided to accept a new challenge.

Alexander-Arnold, a legend

He joined Liverpool’s academy at six and grew up near Melwood’s former training ground. As a child, he would stand on trash bins to watch training sessions of legends like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

Liverpool staff initially envisioned him as a midfielder for the first team, but as he approached senior football, he played at right-back. In October 2016, Jürgen Klopp gave him his debut against Tottenham.

In 2019, Alexander-Arnold made history by becoming the youngest player to feature in consecutive Champions League finals when Liverpool defeated Tottenham after losing to Real Madrid the previous year.

Under Klopp, he became a creative force, registering 13 Premier League assists in the 2019-20 season – a record for a defender – helping Liverpool win the league after 30 years. In two other seasons, he provided 12 league assists.

In the 2021-22 season, when Liverpool reached the Champions League final and won both domestic English cups, he registered 18 assists across all competitions.

Klopp made him vice-captain in summer 2023, with Virgil van Dijk taking over the captaincy from Jordan Henderson.

This season under Arne Slot, he helped Liverpool win their second league title with six assists. Though playing less in attack or midfield this season, he remained pivotal to the team’s success.

Real, the next challenge

Reports suggest that while Alexander-Arnold was content at Liverpool, the allure of a new challenge abroad led to this move. In Madrid, he will join Jude Bellingham, his England teammate with whom he shares a close relationship.

Real is rebuilding their team, and Alexander-Arnold may play under Xabi Alonso, Liverpool’s former midfielder. Carlo Ancelotti appears set to leave Madrid this summer, with Alonso being the prime candidate to succeed him.