Alexander-Arnold's tearful farewell after 20 years at Liverpool
The Liverpool vice-captain was booed by some Reds fans earlier this month in his first game after confirming that he was leaving at the end of this season, amid many reports that a move to Real Madrid was a done deal.
But the 26-year-old was staunchly defended by teammates including Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, while former manager Juergen Klopp — who gave Alexander-Arnold his debut in 2016 — said he turned off his television when he heard the boos.
It's been a rollercoaster for Trent 🥹🔴 #SSPL | #LIVCRY pic.twitter.com/78mxD2QBCS
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 25, 2025
The manner of Alexander-Arnold's departure, as a free agent and after some arguably mixed messages about his future, will still rankle with Liverpool supporters and he admitted to some trepidation.
'I didn't know what to expect stepping out at Anfield after what happened a few weeks ago, but I wanted to play for the club one more time,' he told Sky Sports.
Alexander-Arnold's introduction at half time was met with excitement, though, and his desperation to sign off in style was evident. Had it not been for a poor effort by Darwin Nunez, he would have added another superb assist to his collection.
Trent x Robbo
They've scaled football's heights together 🤝🔴 #SSPL | #LIVCRY pic.twitter.com/H4tNqN8AlP
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 25, 2025
He was in tears at the final whistle and seemed relieved to get yet more cheers when receiving his Premier League winners' medal, before he raised his arms aloft and thumped the Liverpool badge on what he said was 'the best day for me in my life'.
'The reception I got means the world to me, I have played hundreds of games but have never felt so loved and cared for,' Alexander-Arnold said.
'From the bottom of my heart I hope that one day the fans and supporters will recognise what I did for the team.'
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was in agreement and hailed the fans' reception for Alexander-Arnold
'Maybe it also helped what an unbelievable half he played,' he said with a smile.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
9 hours ago
- eNCA
Liverpool 'agree deal' for Parma prospect Leoni
Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed on Thursday that a deal to sign 18-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma has been agreed between the clubs. According to reports, the Premier League champions will pay £26 million ($35 million) for the highly-rated prospect, who has played just 17 Serie A games for Parma. Liverpool have already splashed out £260 million on the signings of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to build from a position of strength after romping to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title last season. However, the departure of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen had left Slot with just three centre-backs to choose from. One of those, Joe Gomez has missed most of pre-season due to injury, while doubts remain over the future of Ibrahima Konate, who has just one year left on his contract at Anfield. "The clubs have agreed a deal but he hasn't signed for us yet. The moment when he signs for us I can go into more detail," said Slot at a press conference ahead of Liverpool's Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Friday. Despite Leoni's arrival, Liverpool could add more centre-back cover before the end of the transfer window with reports linking them with a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. Liverpool have not won back-to-back league titles since 1984 and Slot expects it be an even tougher challenge to defend their crown given the turnover in his squad. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Caoimhin Kelleher have also departed, while the club is still coming to terms with the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last month. "The main reason that is so difficult is because there are so many competitors who can win the league. It's unbelievable if you are able to do it in this league, "added Slot. "This year will be even harder than before. "We have lost five to six players who played quite a lot of minutes last season, and brought in four, so it's normal there is adaptation." The fee to bring Wirtz to England from Leverkusen could rise to a British transfer record £116 million. Slot, though, believes the German international has the mentality to cope with the pressure of that price tag. "When you see him play he is so creative. He is mentally strong, he doesn't get distracted by a transfer fee or anything else," added the Dutch coach. "Good players always find a way to play well in good teams. He has to adjust to England, the league and the intensity, and his team-mates. His adjustment has already gone quite well, more than we expected."
The Citizen
15 hours ago
- The Citizen
Liverpool splash out to secure status as Premier League's top dogs
Liverpool were among the lowest Premier League spenders last year. Fresh from storming to a record-equalling 19th English top-flight title, Liverpool have not held back in transforming Arne Slot's squad in pursuit of an era of Premier League dominance. On top of retaining veteran stars Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah to new contracts, the Reds have splashed out £260 million ($350 million) and are reportedly far from finished in the transfer market. Two of the Bundesliga's most promising talents Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike have arrived at Anfield to add extra creativity and goals. Jeremie Frimpong has also made the move from Germany with the daunting task of replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, while Milos Kerkez joined from Bournemouth as the long-term successor to Andy Robertson at left-back. More defensive reinforcements are imminent with the club closing in on deals for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi and 18-year-old Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma. But it is the potential addition of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak for a British transfer record fee in excess of £115 million that is the transfer saga of the English summer. – Risky and rare strategy – Liverpool were among the lowest Premier League spenders last year as Slot oversaw a steady transition from Jurgen Klopp in spectacular style. A huge investment this time round is also possible because the Reds are among the slickest movers in the market when it comes to sales. The departures of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold and Tyler Morton have raised around £200 million. Liverpool's bold strategy of tearing up a title-winning team is a risky and rare experiment. Only once, Manchester City in 2019, have the Premier League champions been the biggest spending English club in the market since 2007. After years of battling against the financial power of Abu Dhabi-backed City, Liverpool are now flexing their muscles thanks to years of commercial growth and prudent ownership. 'It doesn't feel Liverpool-like to me,' said former defender Jamie Carragher at the thought of a new £69 million striker Ekitike playing second fiddle to Isak. After decades in the doldrums prior to Klopp's arrival, Liverpool are aiming to bring back glory days the club has not since the 1980s. The last time Liverpool won back-to-back titles was in 1984 and doing so this season would come with the added bonus of overtaking Manchester United as English football's top dogs. To do so, Slot has recognised the need to strike the right balance that still harnesses the best from his side's extra firepower. A pre-season trend of high-scoring encounters continued in losing the Community Shield to Crystal Palace on penalties after twice blowing the lead. 'Now we are better in creating and getting promising situations than we were, in my opinion, throughout the whole of last season,' said Slot. 'What made us really strong last season was we only won mostly by a margin of one goal and that had mostly to do with us keeping a clean sheet or as a maximum conceding one goal.' Liverpool also have extra motivation to defend their title as they try to honour a lost friend and team-mate in Diogo Jota. The Portuguese international was killed aged just 28 alongside his brother after a car accident in northern Spain last month. Tributes to Jota will continue throughout the season with 'Forever 20' — his shirt number, which the club have now retired — printed on Liverpool's jerseys.
The Citizen
16 hours ago
- The Citizen
The big Premier League kick-off is finally here
Liverpool are clear favourites to defend their title. Betting patterns suggest only four teams have any real chance of winning the 2025/26 English Premier League which kicks off on Friday night. Defending champions Liverpool are quoted at 2.70 by Betway, with challengers Arsenal at 3.40, Manchester City at 4.40 and Chelsea at 8.50. This is the order in which the teams finished last season, so bookmakers and punters don't expect any dynamism at the top of the table – despite some very expensive player movements in the transfer window. Just below this quartet, however, are some mildly surprising names. Manchester United are in fifth spot, priced at 21.80 to win the league – after finishing in 15th place last season. There is clearly a lot of confidence in manager Ruben Amorim to do what he failed to do last term: turn around the one-time giants' lousy form. It seems Amorim's spending of £200-million, and counting, on new players has swayed opinion. Newcastle United are in transfer wrangles with their star striker Alexander Izak but are still in many people's calculations at 49.00. Tottenham Hotspur did not show Man U's patience with their manager after they finished in an ignominious 17th place last season. The new man, Thomas Frank, poached from outperforming Brentford, has also been spending on new recruits – and the sports books are taking no chances with this outfit, pegging them at R50.00. After that 'top seven', there a smorgasbord of choice for anyone who dreams of a shock outcome to the world's most-watched league – from Nottingham Forest at 230.00 through West Ham at 675.00 to Brentford sans Frank at 925.00. An interesting bet on the extensive Betway menu is Most Goals between two selected players. One example: Man U's new signing Matheus Cunha 1.80 versus Liverpool's Omar Marmoush 1.90. The first match is on Friday night at 9pm SA time, with Liverpool taking on Bournemouth at Anfield. The other 18 teams are in action on Saturday. These Betway odds are correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
