Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals chat with Liverpool owners after leaving for Real Madrid
Despite the boos which he received during his penultimate game at Anfield just four weeks ago, the 26-year-old, who was introduced as a Real Madrid player yesterday, said he feels accepted by his boyhood club's fans who were 'outstanding' towards him.
In comments which suggest he has not ruled out playing for Liverpool again, Alexander-Arnold thanked Liverpool's owners for the departure they gave him – despite taking only a £10million transfer fee from Real because he was virtually out of contract.
He said: 'I had an amazing conversation with the owners in the last couple of days. They thanked me for everything I gave, wished me well on my future journey and said they would have me back at the club at any point. To have those words was amazing.'
Alexander-Arnold surprised Real president and other grandees by speaking perfect Spanish for sixty seconds, later revealing that he had been learning Spanish 'for a few months.' He said he would only have left Liverpool for Real Madrid.
'To be honest, it was never a question of where. It was whether to go, or not to go, but I always knew, I've probably known it for a long time, if I was ever to leave Liverpool, it would only be to go Real Madrid. That would be the only club for me,' he said.
Alexander-Arnold sat next to girlfriend Estelle Behnke as a video montage was played of his best moments at Liverpool, inevitably featuring his two assists in the 4-0 Champions League semi-final comeback against Real's arch-rivals Barcelona. His mother Dianne, sitting alongside his father Michael and brothers Tyler – his agent – and Marcell, could be seen wiping away tears as the video concluded.
Perhaps with Liverpool sensitivities in mind, Alexander-Arnold insisted that playing for Real had not been a dream of his. 'If I'm honest, it's not something you dream of as it's out of reach and out of reality for a lot of players. There are only a handful of players who have been able to represent this club,' he said.
'When I was younger, I wasn't exactly thinking I would be here I was just thinking about learning about how I could be the best footballer I could be. It's a dream to be here but there is still a lot of hard work to do. I'm excited to get started right away.'
That begins with the Club World Cup. He and his teammates fly to the US at the weekend. They will be based at the Four Seasons Miami, in Palm Beach, Florida, ahead of their opening game against Saudi side Al Hilal next Wednesday.
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