Alexander-Arnold Announces Liverpool Departure

England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed that he will be leaving Liverpool Football Club at the end of the current season, bringing an end to his two-decade-long association with the club.

The 26-year-old, who has been with Liverpool since he was six, took to social media to announce his departure, explaining that the decision was the hardest he’s ever had to make in his 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," Alexander-Arnold wrote.

"This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life."

Alexander-Arnold, who is out of contract this summer, went on to express his deep connection with the club: "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."

The right-back added that he had kept his decision private to focus on Liverpool’s success, notably their pursuit of the 20th league title.

"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," he said, referring to Liverpool’s 20th league title.

While the announcement marks the end of an era for the club, Alexander-Arnold revealed that his decision was driven by a desire for new challenges: "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."

His departure will undoubtedly leave a significant gap at the club, but Alexander-Arnold’s legacy as one of Liverpool's most iconic players will be remembered by fans for years to come.

Timeline to departure

• By the summer of 2024, and with just a year left on Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract, his relationship with fans had become more strained. The 26-year-old England full-back irritated some Reds supporters in October by saying in an interview that he would rather win a Ballon d'Or, external than another Champions League with Liverpool.
• In December, he celebrated scoring against West Ham with a 'chat' gesture, referencing the gossip about his future. That brought more fan frustration given that by not publicly stating his desire to stay or leave, Alexander-Arnold had done little to quieten speculation.
• At the start of the year, reports that Real Madrid had made an offer coincided with a tough afternoon for Alexander-Arnold against Manchester United, leading to abuse from some of his own fans inside Anfield.
• News broke at the end of March that Real Madrid were in talks over finalising a deal for Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer this summer.
• Reports then surfaced earlier this week, external that the Liverpool full-back was ready to leave Anfield early and sign for Real Madrid before the start of this summer's Club World Cup.
• Today's statement from Alexander-Arnold confirmed that he would leave at the end of the season for a "new challenge".

The 26-year-old, who has been with Liverpool since he was six, took to social media to announce his departure, explaining that the decision was the hardest he’s ever had to make in his life.