England international Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced he will leave Liverpool this summer after two decades at the club, confirming his departure in a personal message shared on social media.
The 26-year-old full-back, widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted defenders of his generation, informed club officials in March that he would not be signing a new deal. His contract expires at the end of the current season, and he is now expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.
“I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club,” Alexander-Arnold wrote. “This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.”
Sources close to the player suggest he has verbally agreed a five-year contract with Madrid, with Spanish reports claiming the deal will be worth around £7.5m annually after tax. Liverpool, for their part, had offered to make him the highest-paid full-back in the Premier League.
Despite the club’s efforts, Alexander-Arnold made it clear his decision was not financially motivated. With Liverpool undergoing changes at board and managerial level over the past year, contract talks were delayed until Arne Slot’s appointment was confirmed. By the time negotiations resumed, the player had already set his sights on a new challenge abroad.
“This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years,” he said. “But I’ve never known anything else, and this decision is about pushing myself both professionally and personally.”
Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool’s academy at the age of six and made his senior debut in October 2016. Since then, he has made over 350 appearances and helped the club win a host of major honours, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Club World Cup.
His departure will be seen as a significant loss for Liverpool, not only for his ability on the pitch but also for his connection with supporters as a local player who rose through the club’s youth ranks. However, the club had already committed to new deals for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk—part of a broader effort to maintain stability under Slot’s leadership.
In a statement, Liverpool said: “Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success.” He is expected to remain involved in the squad for the final three games of the season, including the club’s Premier League trophy celebration after their final match against Crystal Palace on 25 May.
Real Madrid attempted to sign the defender in January with a £20m bid, which Liverpool turned down. Although his contract expires on 30 June, a move to Madrid could be formalised sooner, as the Spanish club prepares for the expanded FIFA Club World Cup this summer. They are permitted to register new players during the window between 1–10 June.
No official date has been set for the transfer.
