Liverpool release blunt statement about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit after he announces he is quitting club
LIVERPOOL have issued a blunt statement after Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed he would be leaving the club after 20 years.
Alexander-Arnold. 26, broke through the Reds' Academy into the first team under Jurgen Klopp and emerged into one of the best right-backs in world football.
His exploits helped Liverpool land two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
However, in an emotional statement, the defender announced he would be leaving Liverpool when his contract expires this summer.
The Englishman, who is widely reported to be heading to Real Madrid on a free transfer after agreeing a five-year deal worth £240,000 a week, called it "easily the hardest decision i've ever made in my life".
Liverpool made a statement of their own following the news.
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It read: "Trent Alexander-Arnold has informed Liverpool FC of his intention to leave the club this summer upon the expiry of his current contract.
"The 26-year-old will bring his two-decade-long association with the Reds to an end having made the decision to depart Anfield once his deal ceases on June 30, 2025...
"Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool’s Academy at the age of six and progressed through the ranks at youth level before making his senior debut in 2016.
"He has gone on to make 352 appearances for the Reds to date, scoring 23 goals and lifting eight major honours, including this season’s Premier League title...
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"Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success."
The club added a statement from Alexander-Arnold in the announcement.
Alexander-Arnold said: "I think first and foremost, I want to say it’s not an easy decision and there’s a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it.
"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."
Addressing supporters directly, he continued: "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.
“I’ve felt the support, the love, everything that you guys have done has never been unnoticed by me, I’ve loved every single minute of it.
"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 an amazing 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."
The Athletic report Alexander-Arnold informed manager Arne Slot of his decision to leave the club in a face-to-face meeting at the club's Lirby training complex in March after he the ankle injury he sustained against Paris Saint-Germain in the Last-16 of the Champions League.
Slot is said to have expressed his disappointment but respected the decision, telling him: "You’re a huge part of this team and let’s end it on a high together."
Alexander-Arnold then replied: "My mindset and commitment won’t change. I’ll continue to give everything for this club until the final day."
The report adds how fractures began appearing last season when he was left unsettled by fresh contract talks only starting last April.
He said to have understood the circumstances of why this was the case due to new sporting director Richard Hughes only just starting his new role, but privately wondered if the 2024/25 season would be his final one at Anfield.
Hughes' first call in the job was to Alexander-Arnold's camp before subsequent offers to him would have made the defender the best paid defender in the Premier League.
But ultimately, his exit appeared to help pave the way for the club signing new and improved deals with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, with the pair now reportedly earning £400,000-per-week each.
In a separate statement directly on social media, Alexander-Arnold said: "After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season.
"This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.
"I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, 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.
"But, 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.
"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.
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"My love for this club will never die."
Alexander-Arnold's expected move to Real Madrid in the summer could happen BEFORE his the Club World Cup.
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