Trent Alexander-Arnold has made up his mind and will leave Liverpool this summer after more than two decades at his boyhood club.
The Reds vice-captain will sign for Real Madrid and commit his future to the reigning champions of Europe and Spain with a long-term deal.
In a statement on social media, Alexander-Arnold wrote: ‘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.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season
The full-back will leave on a free transfer after failing to agree a new contract with the Reds
The full-back will link-up with England team-mate Jude Bellingham (right) at Real Madrid
‘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’.
Meanwhile, in a club statement on their website, Liverpool wrote: ‘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 will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success.’
It puts to an end the long-running saga that has dominated debates this season with the 26-year-old not discussing his future out of respect to Liverpool as he did not want it to be played out in public.
Mail Sport was the first English newspaper to report that Real Madrid were confident of securing Alexander-Arnold way back in December – and not much has changed along the way.
It is understood that the contract is not officially signed yet but will be soon, with the England international set to join his good pal and Three Lions team-mate Jude Bellingham in the Spanish capital.
Fans have received Alexander-Arnold with warmth despite all the noise about his future this season but it will be intriguing to see how Anfield reacts on Sunday when Liverpool host Arsenal in what will be his penultimate home game.
Alexander-Arnold has won every trophy possible during his time with the Merseyside giants
Alexander-Arnold played in Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat by Chelsea on Sunday afternoon – before announcing his exit from the Merseyside giants early on Monday morning
A Liverpool fan vented his frustration by burning one of Alexander-Arnold’s shirts when reports linked Alexander-Arnold with a move to Madrid back in March
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Instagram model girlfriend Estelle Behnke will head to Madrid
Alexander-Arnold was free to open talks with Real and other overseas clubs on New Year’s Day after letting his Reds deal run down.
Sporting director Richard Hughes’ first call in the job was to Alexander-Arnold’s representatives and the final offer would have made him the best-paid full back in the Premier League.
Liverpool are satisfied they tried their very best to tempt him to stay.
The 15-time champions of Europe made a cheeky approach to sign him early with them ready to pay around £20million to get him in January but Liverpool swiftly rebuffed that idea.
Real will now seek to sign him in time for the FIFA Club World Cup in June with a 10-day window for transfers. That will likely require some compensation and Liverpool’s cooperation – which is not guaranteed – but the Spanish club will try.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti is widely expected to leave the club this summer with Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso the hot favourite to take over from the Italian.
Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool aged six and has played 352 times for his boyhood club. He is the vice-captain and has won every trophy he can – the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
