Liverpool chief breaks silence on Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure to Real Madrid and reveals his disappointment behind the decision
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has revealed what he really thought about Trent Alexander-Arnold 's controversial decision to join Real Madrid.
The defender caused uproar among the Reds fan base when he revealed he would be leaving the club for Spain, with it initially looking like he would be departing for free after a 20-year stay at his boyhood club.
However, Arne Slot 's side did secure a £10million fee from Madrid for Alexander-Arnold to join them early and therefore play in the Club World Cup.
Nevertheless, many Liverpool fans were left incensed by Alexander-Arnold's move, as they believe it was done in bad faith and did not leave the club with sufficient funds to replace him.
And now, Werner has conceded that he and other club chiefs shared the disappointment of many fans.
The 75-year-old businessman diplomatically thanked Alexander-Arnold for his contributions, but could not completely hide his emotions.
'We do respect the fact that Trent has moved on,' Werner told Liverpool Echo.
'I told someone recently this story about seeing Trent on the last weekend of the season, with Billy [Hogan, chief executive] and I just wanted him to know from me personally we are and were as a club thankful for all his contributions.
'He showed me a picture when he was seven years old, when he was a young kid at the academy, and I have a lot of fondness for all that he has done and so it is time for him to move and time for us to replace him.
'We do wish him well and I understand the emotions of supporters who were disappointed and we were disappointed too but it is overshadowed by my wonderful memories of him.'
Werner went on to share a standout memory of Alexander-Arnold in red, and reminisced over his assist to Divock Origi in the 2019 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.
Alexander-Arnold quickly took a corner to catch Barca's defence napping, which was tapped in by Origi. The goal sealed a historic 4-0 win at Anfield and overturned a three-goal deficit from the first leg.
'I'll never forget that pass he made, the corner he took, for the fourth goal against Barcelona.
'That was just a work of genius and as a football fan, watching some of his assists, the way he would pass the ball 30-plus yards to a specific point and create a goal was just...no wonder Real Madrid are delighted.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
9 minutes ago
- Reuters
Spain's Bonmati hospitalised with viral meningitis days before Euro 2025
June 28 (Reuters) - Midfielder Aitana Bonmati, Ballon d'Or winner for the last two years, has been hospitalised with viral meningitis less than a week before Spain begin their Women's Euro 2025 campaign, coach Montse Tome said. The 27-year-old missed Friday's 3-1 win over Japan in a friendly as Spain continued building up to their first Group B match against Portugal on July 3. Bonmati shared a picture of herself watching the match from a hospital bed in an Instagram story. "The doctors say that it is controlled. Talking about meningitis can be scary but it is controlled," Tome told reporters after the win in Leganes. "Aitana will be admitted and there are no deadlines yet to know for how long (she will be absent).' Barcelona's Bonmati, who also won the FIFA Women's Player of the Year award for 2023 and 2024, has scored 30 goals for Spain in 78 appearances, playing a key role as they won the Women's World Cup in 2023 and the Women's Nations League last year. "Aitana, for us, is a very important player. We'll wait for her as long as we can," Tome added. Spain, who also have Belgium and Italy in their group, have never made it to the final of the continental championship, reaching the semi-finals only once in 1997.
Daily Mirror
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Valencia respond to Arsenal transfer bid for Mosquera after Real Madrid twist
Arsenal started the month quietly but the Gunners are making plenty of noise as they prepare for pre-season, with multiple new signings on the verge of being finalised Arsenal fans were promised a busy summer and it's shaping up that way, as sporting director Andrea Berta works around the clock to build Mikel Arteta a squad capable of winning the Premier League title. Less than a month into the window, the Gunners are closing in on the signings of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Brentford's Christian Norgaard - and they won't stop there. Top of virtually every Arsenal fan's wish-list this summer has been a striker. Berta and Co. are sussing out deals for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon talisman Viktor Gyokeres before deciding on which man should lead the line for Arteta's title chasers next season. The Gunners also want a winger who can turn their attack from toothless to terrifying. Real Madrid star Rodrygo is understood to be Arsenal's first choice but north London chiefs have a list of alternatives. Given their likely expenditure, those same bigwigs will have to sanction some departures. Arteta is prepared to be ruthless and will oversee a cull which he hopes with breathe new life into his squad. Here's a round-up of the latest transfer news from the Emirates. Valencia reject Mosquera bid Arsenal have seen their opening bid for Spanish centre-back Cristhian Mosquera rejected by Valencia. The Gunners had lodged an offer worth €19million (£16.2m) for Mosquera, 21, who's also of interest to RB Leipzig, AC Milan and Aston Villa. According to Eldesmarque, Valencia have told Arsenal to significantly up their proposal if they want to sign the in-demand Spain under-21 international, even though he's in the final year of his contract. The La Liga side value him closer to €35m (£29.8m). How much should Arsenal pay for Cristhian Mosquera? Let us know your valuation in the comments section. Real Madrid made Lewis-Skelly swoop Arsenal's teenage sensation, Myles Lewis-Skelly, was the subject of interest from Real Madrid before signing a new five-year contract with the Gunners. Lewis-Skelly, 18, put to paper on a bumper new deal this week to commit his future to Arsenal. But it could've been very different had he entertained interest from Madrid. The Times report Real were planning to sign Lewis-Skelly at the end of his previous contract expired in June 2026, just as they did with Trent Alexander-Arnold. Eze talks held Arsenal have held talks to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, Mirror Football understands. Eze, 26, has a £68million release clause in his Palace contract and the Gunners are ready to battle Tottenham for his signature. Andrea Berta is looking to sign a wide forward for Mikel Arteta, who's desperate for attacking reinforcements. Both clubs can offer Champions League football but Eze did spend time at Arsenal as a youngster and dreamed of playing for the Gunners.
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Enzo Fernandez ‘will be even better' next season insists Enzo Maresca
The Argentina midfielder, signed from the Portuguese giants for a then British record £106.8million two years ago, took time to find his feet at Stamford Bridge. But he excelled in the second half of the 2024-25 season, finishing the campaign with eight goals, and has continued to shine at the Club World Cup. The 24-year-old scored in the opening win over Los Angeles FC and created two goals in as many minutes as the Blues beat Esperance Tunis 3-0 in their final group game on Tuesday. Their reward is a last-16 clash with Benfica in Charlotte on Saturday. Maresca told reporters at his pre-match press conference: 'I'm very pleased with Enzo, especially because, first of all, he's a nice boy. He's polite, he's a good boy. 'Then he's worked very well in all aspects inside the pitch, outside the pitch. Our struggle at the beginning was (for him) to understand the way we want to play. 'But he is doing fantastic in terms of numbers, goal assists. This is what we want from our attacking players. 'I've said many times that I prefer to have the attacking players score 10-12 goal each, rather than just a striker with 40 goals. 'So his contribution this season has been top and I am sure next season will be even better.' Despite that, Fernandez could face competition for his place after Maresca suggested he sees Brazilian Andrey Santos more as an attacking player than a defensive one. The highly-rated 21-year-old has rejoined the club this summer after a successful loan spell at Strasbourg and made his debut as a second-half substitute against Esperance. Maresca said: 'His season has been very good but I think you need time to adapt. 'In terms of position, I see Andrey in this moment in more like Enzo's position than Romeo's (Lavia) position. 'The Premier League demands (players) to be physically strong. In this moment, I see Andrey more of an attacking player than defensive in the field.' Maresca added that he hopes 19-year-old defender Josh Acheampong will stay with the club despite being linked with Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund. He said: 'My idea or my plan with Josh is quite clear. I think he potentially can be a top defender for this club. I feel the best plan for Josh is to be with us.' Maresca would also like England international Trevoh Chalobah to stay, but offered no guarantees. He said: 'All the players that are here with us, I don't want to lose them but when the transfer window is open, unfortunately, anything can happen – not only for Trevoh, for (all) the 25 players of the squad.' Maresca expects a tight contest against Benfica. He said: 'It's going to be a balanced game, a tough game. In this kind of game the small details are very important.'
