LIVERPOOL have issued a blunt statement after Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed he would be leaving the club after 20 years.
Alexander-Arnold broke through the Reds’ Academy into the first team under Jurgen Klopp and emerged into one of the best right-backs in world football.
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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.
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…
“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.”
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