End of an Era: Liverpool Confirm Departure of Cult Hero as Real Madrid Close in on Free Transfer

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Arne Slot (Credit: Imago)

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Trent Alexander-Arnold and Arne Slot after a Premier League game in 2025 (Credit: Imago)

End of an Era: Liverpool Confirm Departure of Cult Hero as Real Madrid Close in on Free Transfer

Joel Omotto 13:06 - 05.05.2025

Liverpool are set to lose one of the best players in the world in his position after failing to convince the fan favourite to extend his stay as Real Madrid wait to sign him for free.

Liverpool have finally let out one of the worst kept football secrets in recent months following their announcement that Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave the club at the end of the season.

The right-back, regarded as one of the best in the world in his position, has been a subject of interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid since March last year, when it became clear that he had no intentions of renewing his Liverpool contract when it expires this summer.

That is exactly what has happened as the club has confirmed that Alexander-Arnold will leave at the end of his deal this summer with Madrid poised to sign one of the world’s best for free.

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It became even clearer when Liverpool offered two-year extensions to forward Mohamed Salah and defender Virgil van Dijk last month but nothing said on Alexander-Arnold who now ends his 20-year association with the Premier League giants who he joined aged just six.

“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 said through a club statement.

“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.”

The right-back has made 352 appearances for the Reds to date, scoring 23 goals while providing 92 assists and lifting eight trophies among them two Premier League crowns and a UEFA Champions League.

“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,” the 26-year-old said in his address to Liverpool fans.

“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.”

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Madrid are finalising paperwork on a five-year deal for Alexander-Arnold after a verbal agreement was sealed months ago.