Trent Alexander-Arnold makes FSG claim and explains Liverpool exit decision - 'I am not going to say'
Trent Alexander-Arnold paid tribute to Fenway Sports Group at his Real Madrid unveiling, thanking the Liverpool owners for their support after he made clear his intention to leave Anfield.
The 26-year-old moved to the Spanish capital earlier this month after the La Liga giants paid £10m to release him from his Reds contract a month early so he could feature for los Blancos at the Club World Cup, which begins on Sunday in the United States.
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The nature of Alexander-Arnold's move was a controversial one that divided opinion among the club's worldwide fanbase and he was loudly booed when he emerged as a second-half substitute in last month's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold mum in tears as ex-Liverpool man sends Real Madrid message in fluent Spanish
READ MORE: Andy Robertson gives Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez Liverpool transfer verdict and contract update
At his official press conference in Madrid on Thursday, the England international saluted his boyhood club for how they handled his end-of-season exit, revealing supportive conversations with Boston-based FSG, who were on Merseyside to see Arne Slot's side lift the Premier League title on May 25.
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'I don't think wanting to win the Ballon d'Or influenced my decision to come here at all to be honest,' Alexander-Arnold said. 'You're joining a team like this, with the team-mates that I've got, it's going to be hard to win it with these superstars, but it's exciting.
'These are the kind of players I want to play with, I've admired these, played against them, I know how good they are, so to be a part of this team, playing with them rather than against them will be good.
'Such a contrast of emotions, of course, different ends of the scale. Being at Liverpool for so long and experiencing everything what I did and what I had was incredible and knowing it was coming to an end and it was always going to be emotional for me.
'But I went out in a way I was happy about, the send-off I got, the way the club treated me, the way the fans were as well was outstanding, I couldn't say a bad word.
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'Speaking to the players, the manager, the owners, they were all incredible as well and showed amazing support and were a huge help. We had an amazing conversation in the last couple of days with the owners, they were very warm and welcoming and thanked me for everything I gave in service to the club.
'They wished me well on my future journey and what I wanted to do and said I am always welcome back at the club at any point. So to have those words spoken was amazing. Sent off in the perfect way.
"Now to be here facing a new challenge, a new journey is very exciting. I am over the moon here and something not a lot of players experience. So I am very lucky.'
Alexander-Arnold continued: 'I mean, to be honest, it was never a question of where - it was always whether to go or not.
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'I always knew, for me, I have probably known for a long time is that if I was to ever leave Liverpool, it would only be for Real Madrid. They are the only club for me and then it gets to a point where you have to make a decision to go or stay.
'It wasn't easy, I am not going to say it was, I had been there so long and a part of it but eventually you have to make a decision and I have made the right one in my mind and I am excited about.'
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USA Today
21 minutes ago
- USA Today
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shows why he's the MVP, saves Thunder in NBA Finals Game 4
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USA Today
31 minutes ago
- USA Today
NBA Finals Game 4 winners and losers: Caruso's complete game; Mathurin's costly minute
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New York Times
34 minutes ago
- New York Times
Enraged Aaron Boone throws gum, Yankees seethe over replay review in extra-innings loss to Red Sox
BOSTON — Amid a historic season that could go down as the single greatest in MLB history, Boston Red Sox starter Garrett Crochet had somehow found a way to make Aaron Judge look human. Through six at-bats against Judge this season, Crochet had struck out the reigning American League MVP each time. Crochet jumped ahead 1-2 in the count in at-bat No. 7 against Judge. Much like a slot machine at a casino, the lucky 7s flashed briefly, appearing as if this would be the time the jackpot hits. Of course, it never does. Advertisement Judge gained count leverage, fouling off two fastballs and taking two heaters out of the zone to get to 3-2. On pitch No. 7 of the at-bat in the ninth inning, with the New York Yankees down 1-0, Judge turned on a four-seamer down and in that cleared the Green Monster for a 443-foot blast. It's damn near impossible to have success seven times against Judge. Not when he has a 245 wRC+, which would be the highest in MLB history. It also didn't matter that Crochet uncorked a 99.6 mph fastball, which now holds the title for the fastest pitch Judge has homered off of in his career, according to Statcast. 'It's not even up for debate that's the best hitter in the league right now, and it's going to take a little bit extra to get him, especially the fourth time in one game,' Crochet said. 'That's just the nature of the beast.' The Judge bangs his gavel. #ALLRISE — New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 14, 2025 The Yankees managed just five base runners off Crochet before Judge finally unloaded on a pitch, launching a towering shot that seemed bound to clank off the Citgo sign somewhere 5,000 feet beyond Fenway Park's dimensions. That seemed like it would be the most dramatic moment of the night, but we were just getting started. Would it really be a Yankees-Red Sox game without absurdity? All hell broke loose in the 10th inning. It started with Anthony Volpe, the automatic runner at second base, attempting to steal third base with no outs. Volpe was initially called safe by third-base umpire Brennan Miller. Third baseman Marcelo Mayer was dismayed. He threw his arms up immediately and signaled that the Red Sox needed to challenge the call. Replay showed it was a close call, and it did not look like there would be conclusive evidence to overturn the call on the field. But, the replay center did overturn the call, and Volpe was out. Advertisement The decision to have Volpe steal there is questionable. Firstly, Jasson Domínguez, a left-handed hitter, is in the batter's box. That gives Red Sox catcher Carlos Narváez a clear angle to throw down to third base. Secondly, there are few reasons a visiting team would need to advance a runner to third base with no outs in extra innings. Thirdly, the Yankees have the best offense in baseball; it's perfectly acceptable to believe one of the hitters will come through. The risk of stealing seems too great in that moment, but Yankees manager Aaron Boone was all in on the decision. 'Oh, hell, yeah. You're not?' Boone said. 'You've seen Anthony steal third. The only reason he's out is because he kind of gets caught on the slide where he doesn't extend. Absolutely.' After review, Carlos Narváez nabs Anthony Volpe with a perfect throw 😮💨 — MLB (@MLB) June 14, 2025 With one out, Domínguez struck out looking, bringing DJ LeMahieu to the plate with two outs and no one on base. LeMahieu ripped a ball down the right-field line that seemed fair but was called foul by first-base umpire Jeremie Rehak. The Yankees challenged the call, but replay ruled there wasn't enough evidence to overturn the call. This is when Boone went ballistic and charged out of the dugout. He took the Dubble Bubble gum out of his mouth and threw a fastball in the direction of home plate umpire John Tumpane, who immediately tossed the manager. Boone yelled a few obscenities and mocked Rehak making the call before heading into the clubhouse for the rest of the game. 'I want the courage to overturn the call,' Boone said. 'A quarter of the ball is on the line. It takes a lot of — something — a lot of imagination to say that's fair. Whatever. It's over with. I'm not saying we score there. In the end, they outlasted us.' When pressed further on the umpires needing 'courage' to change calls, Boone said it might be a poor choice of words and that he was 'heated.' DJ LeMahieu hit a ball down the first base line in extra innings and it was ruled a foul ball even after replay review. Aaron Boone tossed his gum and was ejected. LeMahieu would also get ejected after his at bat. The Yankees lost this game in extra innings 👀 — js9innings (@js9inningsmedia) June 14, 2025 LeMahieu then grounded out to end the inning, and he, too, was ejected after saying a few words to Rehak. This was LeMahieu's 1,652nd career game and first ejection. LeMahieu was 'surprised' to get ejected because he didn't curse or say any of the 'magic' words to get tossed. 'I just said that was a brutal call,' LeMahieu said. '(Rehak) said, 'What did you say?' I said, 'That was brutal.' That was it. Obviously, it's a high-intensity moment in the game and high pressure and emotions were running high.' Advertisement Adding to the silliness, the Yankees only sent two batters to the plate in the 10th inning because Volpe was thrown out at third. The Yankees then had to hold the Red Sox to no runs in the bottom of the inning, which is extremely challenging as the visiting team in extra innings. The Yankees intentionally walked Rafael Devers, brought in Cody Bellinger from the outfield to play first baseman and have a five-man infield with Mayer in the batter's box. Tim Hill struck Mayer out, and it looked possible the Yankees were going to somehow get to an 11th inning. But Narváez, whom the Yankees traded to the Red Sox this offseason for pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, drilled a ball off the Monster for a game-winning single. The Yankees are 12-26 in extra innings road games since 2020. It's the worst winning percentage in MLB over that span. Hill could have walked Narváez to bring rookie phenom Roman Anthony, a lefty, to the plate. It's a more favorable matchup for Hill, but the Yankees chose to go after the righty in Narváez. The Yankees did ponder walking him but decided against it. 'Some consideration there,' Boone said. 'We talked about it before the inning a little bit, but then you're bringing the walk into play off a guy that does have that kind of patience. Once we're ahead in the count there, we're going to take our shot.' In the clubhouse after the game, Trent Grisham, who did not play in Friday's game, was posted up in the back right corner eating an ice cream cone. So, not every Yankee went home with a poor taste in their mouth after dropping their third game to the Red Sox in the past week.
