LIVERPOOL’S departing star Trent Alexander-Arnold told manager Arne Slot he is leaving Anfield back in March.
Alexander-Arnold, 26, announced today he will be exiting the Reds in June when his contract expires after 21 stunning years at the club.
According to The Athletic, however, the full-back’s mind was made up two months ago during the international break.
The England international wasn’t included in Thomas Tuchel’s first ever squad due to an ankle injury and instead he held showdown talks with Slot, 46, in his office at the Kirkby training complex.
That was when TAA told the Dutch tactician that he will leave Liverpool as he needed to step out of his comfort zone and pursue a new challenge.
Slot expressed his disappointment but respected decision telling him: “You’re a huge part of this team and let’s end it on a high together.”
The ex-Feyenoord boss reassured him he will feature in his plans once he was fit, which delighted Alexander Arnold who promised: “My mindset and commitment won’t change. I’ll continue to give everything for this club until the final day.”
It was around the same time when the right-back’s representative formally informed the Merseysiders’ sporting director Richard Hughes that his client wouldn’t be signing a new contract.
Hughes wasn’t surprised as talks over an extension had effectively ended earlier that month.
Alexander-Arnold decided to keep the whole situation under wraps as he didn’t want the focus to shift from the team’s bid to win their 20th league title.
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Questions have risen as to why the Liverpool academy graduate is leaving as a free agent.
The same source claims the defender expected the club to open talks before the start of the 2023-24 season, but that never happened.
A major upheaval followed behind the scenes as then sporting director Julian Ward stepped down just a year after succeeding Michael Edwards.
Liverpool gave the job to Jorg Schmadtke on an interim basis but he didn’t prioritise contract renewals.
Trent’s situation got even more complicated in November 2023 when then manager Jurgen Klopp stunned the entire club to its core by announcing his departure at the end of the season.
Everything stopped then as everyone was searching for clarity regarding the post-Klopp era after the German tactician’s stunning nine-year at the helm.
A while later, Hughes joined from Bournemouth but his priority was to find a new manager.
Talks with Alexander-Arnold finally commenced in late April last year with an opening offer made before the end of that month.
Wanting something new
The England star understood why it had taken Liverpool so long to come to the table, but as he approached his final year he started to wonder whether the 2024-25 season could be his last for the club.
Alexander-Arnold’s decision was complicated by his good relationship with Slot.
However, Real Madrid – who now pose as TAA’s likeliest destination – are offering a very unique opportunity.
The player has always carried the ambition of becoming the first ever right-back to win the Ballon d’Or and Real pose as a destination where the realisation of that dream is more possible.
Therefore, money was never an issue, instead Liverpool couldn’t offer their academy star what he is currently looking for.
Alexander-Arnold remained fully committed to the Reds’ bid of winning the Premier League, unlike what some critics inaccurately argued.
Saying goodbye
And it showed by the way he passionately celebrated the first ever Prem title won in front of fans after last week’s 5-1 victory over Tottenham at the Kop.
Nevertheless, his decision was made and he issued a heartfelt farewell.
Alexander-Arnold told the fans: “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.
‘Thank you’
“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.”
While a club statement from Liverpool 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.”
Adding: “Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success.”
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