Trent Alexander-Arnold decided to leave Liverpool, informing coach Arne Slot during the March international break. Recovering from an injury, he expressed a need for new challenges, despite his long history with the club. After winning the Premier League title, he confirmed his exit while keeping his future destination vague, likely Real Madrid. Throughout his 20-year association with Liverpool, he achieved significant successes but felt it was time for a change. His decision was influenced by contract negotiations, uncertainties at the club, and Real Madrid’s growing interest. Ultimately, he aims to unlock his potential in Spain.
Trent Alexander-Arnold had made up his mind and wanted to convey it to Arne Slot in person.
It was during the March international break when the Liverpool right-back, still recovering from an ankle injury sustained against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, visited the Dutchman in his office at the Kirkby training complex.
Alexander-Arnold informed Slot of his decision to leave his boyhood club upon the expiration of his contract at season’s end. He articulated that at this juncture in his career, he felt the need to step out of his comfort zone and seek a new challenge.
Slot expressed disappointment but respected his vice-captain’s choice. “You play a crucial role in this team, and let’s finish on a high together,” Slot assured him.
Having received reassurance that the head coach wanted him to participate once he regained fitness as Liverpool edged closer to Premier League title glory, Alexander-Arnold replied: “My mindset and dedication will remain unchanged. I’ll keep giving my all for this club until the final whistle.”
Around the same time in March, Alexander-Arnold’s agent officially informed Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes that he would not be extending his contract at Anfield.
The club was not entirely surprised, as discussions about an extension had effectively ceased earlier that month, with Alexander-Arnold taking some time to reach a final decision. He was adamant about keeping the news discreet until after the title was secured to prevent any distractions for the team.
Now, eight days following the jubilant celebrations at Anfield after the 5-1 victory over Tottenham, his impending exit has been officially confirmed.
Trent Alexander-Arnold acknowledges Liverpool fans after their title-clinching win over Spurs (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Out of respect for Liverpool and due to the lack of a finalized long-term contract with Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold has yet to confirm his new destination, but he is expected to join the Bernabeu next season.
This marks the end of a two-decade association with Liverpool, beginning when he joined the academy at six years old. He has achieved over 350 appearances and garnered numerous accolades including the Champions League, two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup, but now faces an emotional farewell.
The Athletic has consulted multiple sources familiar with Alexander-Arnold’s situation, speaking on condition of anonymity to protect their positions, to explore key questions regarding his choice to leave.
How did Liverpool and their owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), find themselves in a situation where one of their most valuable assets will leave without a transfer fee at the peak of his career? When did Real Madrid’s pursuit begin in earnest?
And ultimately, why did Alexander-Arnold decide to part ways?
The summer of 2023 was pivotal. It was the first time in his professional career that Alexander-Arnold faced the final two years of his contract.
He had previously signed extensions in July 2017, January 2019, and July 2021, with Liverpool routinely rewarding his growth and significance to the team with improved terms.
After being appointed vice-captain by Jurgen Klopp following James Milner’s departure, he anticipated Liverpool would initiate talks before the 2023-24 season, but that did not transpire.
Significant upheaval occurred behind the scenes at Anfield. Julian Ward had stepped down as sporting director merely a year after succeeding Michael Edwards. Unable to find a suitable long-term successor, Liverpool appointed Jorg Schmadtke on an interim basis. The German executive was lured out of retirement following a recommendation from Klopp’s agent, Marc Kosicke.
Jurgen Klopp gave Alexander-Arnold his Liverpool debut (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Schmadtke portrayed himself as Klopp’s “assistant,” focusing primarily on negotiating transfer deals as the club commenced a midfield overhaul. Contract renewals were sidelined.
Then, in November 2023, the situation became complicated when Klopp informed FSG president Mike Gordon that he felt exhausted and would leave at the season’s end.
Once Klopp made his announcement public two months later, it became evident that all matters would be put on hold until clarity was reached regarding Liverpool’s direction. No player would commit without knowing who would be taking over and where they fitted into the plans.
Gordon, wanting to step back himself, successfully persuaded Edwards to return with expanded responsibilities as FSG’s CEO of football in March 2024, with his first task being to recruit Hughes from Bournemouth as sporting director. Hughes’ initial focus was leading the search for Klopp’s successor, with Slot being chosen from Feyenoord.
However, Hughes’ first communication in his new role was actually with Alexander-Arnold’s camp, introducing himself, and by late April last year, discussions regarding a new contract began, with an initial offer made before the month ended. The England international understood the reasons behind the delay in Liverpool’s approach, but as his final year approached, he privately began considering whether the 2024-25 season might be his last at the club.
Interest from Real Madrid was already well known, and he questioned how earnest Liverpool was in wanting to retain him. Those concerns were alleviated in the following months by the subsequent offers that Hughes presented. They would have made Alexander-Arnold the highest-paid full-back in the Premier League and among the highest in world football, but by that stage, Alexander-Arnold was already contemplating a move to Spain.
“Look, I have been at the club for 20 years now. I’ve signed four or five contract extensions, none of which were made public. This one won’t be either,” Alexander-Arnold told reporters following Liverpool’s 3-0 home victory over Bournemouth in September.
When pressed on whether he wished to remain at Anfield, he added: “I want to be a Liverpool player this season (at the very least) is what I will express.”
It was the first and last occasion Alexander-Arnold paused in a media mixed zone throughout the season. In interviews with TV rights holders, the subject was off the table.
He maintained his silence as speculation about his future intensified. He didn’t want to add fuel to the fire, even if that meant letting others fill the void with misinformation.
Privately, he grappled with the most significant decision of his life. This was compounded by the close relationship he formed with Slot. He admired the new head coach’s meticulous preparation and high standards. Alexander-Arnold views him as a genius and perfectionist who has elevated the defensive aspect of his game.
“I want you to be critical of me,” Alexander-Arnold told Slot as they worked together at Kirkby to analyze his performances in the early weeks of the season. It was clear to him that Liverpool would be serious challengers for major honors with Slot at the helm.
Arne Slot developed a strong rapport with Alexander-Arnold (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
Moreover, the discussions regarding his teammates Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah’s futures generated buzz throughout much of the season. Both ultimately signed two-year extensions in April.
What bothered him was hearing assertions about his commitment, with claims that “his head was already in Spain.” This reached a peak in the lead-up to the encounter with rivals Manchester United at Anfield on January 5.
The player reacted to reports in the Spanish media claiming he had already promised Real Madrid he would join them by making a gesture during his celebration after scoring in the 5-0 demolition of West Ham United.
On December 30, Liverpool officially declined an approach from Real Madrid, who sought to acquire him in the January transfer window. This was unsolicited and came before the January 1 date when they could speak with the player. Sources in Spain purported that they were willing to pay around £20 million instead of waiting six months to secure him on a free transfer, but no figures were discussed during the brief exchange.
Edwards and Hughes committed to keeping the squad intact for the remainder of the season, recognizing Alexander-Arnold’s value was significantly greater with Slot’s side still competing on four fronts.
Liverpool also rebuffed strong interest from Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr in striker Darwin Nunez. On January 18, there was a sense of validation when Alexander-Arnold set up the opening goal for Nunez in a thrilling win at Brentford. On the same day, rivals Arsenal squandered a 2-0 lead against Aston Villa, further solidifying Slot’s side’s grip on the title race.
Richard Hughes aimed to retain Alexander-Arnold until the season’s conclusion (Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
Alexander-Arnold felt hurt by accusations that he had somehow instigated the late December approach. He was aware of Real Madrid’s right-back crisis following Dani Carvajal’s knee injury in October and that they were eager to secure his services, but he was never looking to leave mid-season. He only discovered moments before it broke in the UK media on New Year’s Eve that an approach had been received and turned down. At that point, he was still actively involved in contract negotiations with Liverpool and had not made a definite decision about his future.
All the criticism weighed on him during the Manchester United match. He made several errors and faced the brunt of the Anfield crowd’s displeasure during the 2-2 draw.
He was thankful for Slot’s support—both public and private—during this challenging period, and the warm reception he received from the away fans when he entered against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup semi-final lifted his spirits. He then captained Liverpool, scoring in the FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley and receiving a standing ovation when replaced by Conor Bradley in the second half.
Real Madrid had been closely monitoring Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation for some time and were confident of securing his signature since November.
In recent years, they have established a pattern of acquiring top European talent on free transfers, including Kylian Mbappe, David Alaba, and Antonio Rudiger, making the process well-understood.
Chief scout Juni Calafat is typically tasked with fostering strong relationships with targets and gauging a player’s willingness to move before general manager Jose Angel Sanchez steps in to lead negotiations, with all significant decisions requiring the approval of club president Florentino Perez.
With Carvajal facing a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament sustained against Villarreal, the Madrid board identified Alexander-Arnold as their leading target in their quest for a new right-back. With Carvajal turning 33 in January, they were already searching for a long-term successor. Facing an immediate pressing need in the squad, they were eager for Alexander-Arnold as soon as possible.
In January, a source close to coach Carlo Ancelotti informed The Athletic: “Without a right-back, it is impossible to win the Champions League.” Senior figures at Real Madrid believed that because Liverpool was so far ahead domestically and had a capable deputy in Bradley, the Premier League leaders might be inclined to take a fee instead of losing him for free in the summer. They were mistaken, however, as Madrid’s overture was quickly rejected.
Kylian Mbappe is challenged by Conor Bradley, a capable deputy for Alexander-Arnold (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
With Liverpool resolute in their desire to keep Alexander-Arnold for the remainder of the season, Madrid redirected their focus toward signing him as a free agent. They detailed their sporting and economic vision and requested he refrain from renewing his contract with Liverpool.
By March, certainty was growing in the Spanish capital regarding their chances of acquiring him, and Ancelotti along with other key figures at Madrid’s Valdebebas training facility had been informed by the board that the deal was as good as completed.
Slot continued to select Alexander-Arnold because his attitude remained steadfast, and he did not want to miss out on such a creative talent.
The head coach recognized how far Alexander-Arnold had pushed himself to remain available. He had played for Liverpool with painkilling injections after sustaining a side strain while playing for England against Finland back in October. Then, he worked diligently during his rehabilitation to return ahead of schedule following an ankle injury against PSG in mid-March.
This dedication led to a significant emotional response when he scored the winner in his comeback against Leicester City on April 20. Through actions rather than words, he aimed to demonstrate his commitment to winning the club’s 20th top-flight title.
“Let the headlines focus on his remarkable goal rather than his contract situation,” Slot told reporters after the match. “It would be absurd to question his dedication to the club.”
Previous home-grown players Steve McManaman and Michael Owen had left Anfield for Real Madrid in pursuit of success, but Alexander-Arnold’s scenario is distinct given the triumphant title run under Slot.
So why leave? He feels he has accomplished everything he set out to achieve at Liverpool. At 26, he believes the time is right to challenge himself in a new setting. Earlier this season, he expressed his aspiration to become the first full-back to win the Ballon d’Or, and he believes that a fresh challenge may unlock his complete potential. He is eager to experience life and play in Madrid while proving himself anew. The transition should be aided by his close friendship with Jude Bellingham.
Alexander-Arnold has a close bond with Jude Bellingham (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
His status as a free agent means there will be significant sign-on fees, but financial incentives were never the primary motivator for Alexander-Arnold. If they were, from January 1 onward, he would have welcomed offers from all over Europe and entertained interest from the Premier League.
Ultimately, Liverpool’s financial offer did not matter. An additional £5 million a year wouldn’t have influenced his decision, and there’s no lingering bitterness or resentment on either side. There’s a mutual respect for Hughes, who inherited a challenging situation a year ago and did everything possible to persuade him to stay.
From Liverpool’s perspective, the prolonged negotiations were amicable and constructive, but it increasingly became apparent that an agreement could not be reached. They could not provide what he desired—a fresh challenge.
Alexander-Arnold, the record holder for most Premier League assists by a defender at 64, immersed himself fully in the celebrations on the field following the emphatic victory over Tottenham at Anfield that clinched the title.
He stepped forward to be celebrated by the Kop as they chanted about “the Scouser in our team.” He stood before the supporters with open arms before tapping his heart. Speculation circulated that this might lead to a dramatic reversal, but for Alexander-Arnold, it was the ideal conclusion.
Later that evening, there was a heartfelt exchange with Liverpool’s principal owner, John W. Henry. “You have been an incredible player for this team, and I cannot thank you enough for your contributions to this club,” Henry told him. “It’s disappointing to see you go, but I wish you all the best for the future.” Alexander-Arnold responded, “Thank you for everything; it’s been a joy.”
A few streets away, on the corner of Sybil Road, a large mural of Alexander-Arnold adorns the wall, accompanied by the quote: “I’m just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has just come true.”
He had said those words after the Champions League victory over Tottenham in Madrid in 2019. Now his journey continues in the Spanish capital.
(Top photo: Michael Regan/GettyImages; design: John Bradford)