For a long time, it seemed certain that Trent Alexander-Arnold would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. But then some doubt seemed to be cast over a potential move to Real Madrid. Liverpool announced that both Mo Salah and skipper Virgil van Dijk were to be given new contracts and all of a sudden far from potentially losing three stars for nothing in the summer, there seemed at least a chance that they would be able to keep hold of all three.
In the end, things played out as many savvy fans thought they probably would, with the Reds holding onto their star attacker and key defender, and losing the player that, despite his long connection to Liverpool, is undoubtedly the least significant loss. On the 5th of May, the club and player confirmed that Alexander-Arnold would be departing. The right-back posted a message on social media that said,
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.
Unlike Salah and Van Dijk, the defender still has his peak years ahead of him, and he will turn 27 in October 2025. Despite this, he always seemed the most likely to leave and yet also the loss that would be felt least keenly. Liverpool fans will still be upset to see him leave, with some questioning the loyalty of a player who is also a Reds supporter, and yet is happy to walk away from Anfield for free. He would probably have commanded a fee of £70m or more, so for the club’s finances, this is clearly a terrible deal.
Where Will Alexander-Arnold Go Next & Who Will Replace Him?
Some fans are aggrieved by the situation and there have been – as there pretty much always is – some unpleasant posts on social media directed at the player. By leaving on a free, he will guarantee himself a huge salary at Real Madrid (it is yet to be confirmed that is his destination but … it is) but that is the nature of the sport. Clubs operate as businesses and they cannot do so only when it suits them, demanding loyalty and sporting behaviour at other times.
Even if it may not seem that way reading the invective online, most Liverpool fans accept that and wish Alexander-Arnold well. What’s more, the loss is undoubtedly softened by the fact that the club have an excellent youngster waiting in the wings to replace Trent. Conor Bradley will turn 22 in the summer and is a tough-tackling fan favourite who already boasts 24 caps (and four goals) for Northern Ireland. He impressed with Bolton on loan in 2022/23, playing 53 times and scoring seven goals.
Since then he has deputised for the Real-bound Alexander-Arnold regularly, playing 11 Premier League games in 2023/24 and 16 last term. Many consider him to be a better defender than the man he will hope to replace, even if he doesn’t offer the same range of passing and goal threat. Despite having a readymade, tried and tested replacement for Trent, Liverpool are believed to be keen on signing a top-class right-back. That displeases some but top teams need competition, and Arne Slot has been linked with the likes of Jeremie Frimpong and Porto youngster Martim Fernandes, so it will be interesting to see who is first choice next term.
Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool Career
For the City. For the Fans. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Tp66723Oxg
— Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) April 28, 2025
Whatever comes next for Liverpool and for Trent (be that in Madrid or anywhere else) promises to be an exciting new chapter. But now is also a great time to look back on the player’s career at Anfield. Whilst he has had his critics from outside the club, with many pundits and England fans bemoaning his defensive capabilities and positioning, he has been a hugely popular player for the Reds.
Adored by Fans
Lauded by the fans as “one of our own”, Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool journey began in 2004 when he was just six years old. He played for every age group through Liverpool’s academy, often as captain and in a range of positions. By and large he began as a midfielder but was slowly converted into a wide player and eventually a right-back.
His talent was always clear and he rapidly earned international honours, representing England at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels. In 2016/17 he was named Liverpool’s Young Player of the Year. The following season was the one where he really made his breakthrough, playing 33 times in all and scoring three goals.
Premier League Titles
He continued to develop and was fully established as the club’s first-choice right-back by the 2019/20 campaign when he played every single Premier League game. He helped his side earn their first Premier League title and he will be going out on a high with his, and Liverpool’s second.
He has won just about everything there is to win with his boyhood side and it is the stuff kids up and down the country dream about. The player has decided that a new challenge is what he wants and ultimately, when Real Madrid come calling, very few players resist. Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool with two Premier League titles, the 2021/22 FA Cup and League Cup, the 2018/19 Champions League and wins in both the 2019 UEFA Super Cup and the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup.
Assist King
Whilst many have questioned his ability as a defender, the core of a right-back’s role, his excellence with the ball is clear. With no more than three games of his Liverpool career to go, he has played 352 times for the club, scoring 23 goals. That goal figure is perhaps a little lower than some might have expected but where Alexander-Arnold has really excelled is in terms of assists.
His raking passes and perfectly curled crosses are things of beauty and they have helped him amass 64 PL assists. Amongst defenders, only Ashley Young has more, though the former Villa and Man United man spent much of his career as an attacker. Whilst Trent has operated as a midfielder for the Reds, most of his games have been played in defence, and he boasts five more than teammate Andy Robertson. It will be many years before that record is broken, and Liverpool will certainly miss his attacking contribution.