Trent Alexander-Arnold: Liverpool defender to leave club on a free transfer amid expected move to Real Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced he is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, with the defender expected to join Real Madrid.

"This is easily the hardest decision I've ever made in my life," said Alexander-Arnold in a message on social media.

No contract with the Spanish club has been signed yet, though Alexander-Arnold moving to Real on a free transfer is understood to be the direction of travel.

The England international came through the Liverpool academy and has played 352 times for the first team, winning two Premier League titles - including this season's.

Alexander-Arnold helped Liverpool win the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup trophies in 2019, and also lifted two Carabao Cups, one FA Cup and one Community Shield.

The 26-year-old started this season as one of the three key Liverpool players out of contract this summer, and while Liverpool extended Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk's deals by two years, they will lose Alexander-Arnold for no fee.

In an interview with LFC TV, Alexander-Arnold revealed there was the possibility of staying at the club, but revealed he needed a change in his career.

Asked if staying at Liverpool was ever a possibility, Alexander-Arnold said: "One hundred per cent, a massive possibility.

"I've got full confidence in the manager and the staff and the club going forward. It's not about me thinking we're not going to fight for titles or fight for trophies season in, season out because I knew from the first few moments with the manager that he was a winner, he was aiming to go and win things. And you've seen that this season with the way that we've played.

"So, it was never about not having confidence in that, it just boiled down to what I felt I needed, and that is a change.

"That's something I need to do on my personal journey as a person, but also as a player and a professional, to go and challenge myself elsewhere. I feel like a challenge in a different environment is something I need to do as a player."
How Liverpool tried to keep Alexander-Arnold
Sky Sports News understands that while Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave is a disappointment at Liverpool, the club felt they did everything in their power to make him stay.

Contract talks with the defender were understood to be a long-term priority for the Reds, with discussions dating back to last season.

New sporting director Richard Hughes, appointed last summer, even contacted Alexander-Arnold's representatives about a new contract before starting his role, with formal negotiations starting after Arne Slot had been appointed as the new head coach.

Liverpool's offer to Alexander-Arnold would have made him the best-paid full-back not just in the Premier League, but also in world football - but the club realised that a new agreement was not possible.

The final meeting between Hughes and Alexander-Arnold's camp came earlier in the spring, after Liverpool had rejected a bid from Real Madrid in the January transfer window.