By Simon Wilkes
England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced he is leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2024/25 season – but says his love for the club ‘will never die’.
The 26-year-old has spent his whole career on Merseyside, breaking into the first team from the Liverpool academy and becoming a firm fans’ favourite at right-back due to his marauding runs, ability to create goals, blockbuster free-kicks and long-range strikes.
He played a pivotal role in Arne Slot winning the Premier League in his first season at Anfield – but is now ready for a ‘new challenge’, having been widely linked with a summer move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Future clarification
There have been question marks over Alexander-Arnold’s future for many months, and after seeing Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah pen new contracts with the Reds, the defender put a message on social media on Monday clarifying his future plans.
He said: “This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.
“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.
“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.
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Forever in debt
“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.
“My love for this club will never die.”
Trophy haul
Alexander-Arnold has represented his club 352 times at first-team level, and helped them to win two Premier League titles, the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.
He has also been part of Liverpool teams who have lifted two Carabao Cups, one FA Cup and one Community Shield, so will always be remembered on the red side of Merseyside.
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