Arne Slot has spoken for the first time since Trent Alexander-Arnold announced he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.
On Monday morning, Alexander-Arnold confirmed his decision to leave the Reds- having spent 20 years at the club – on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The England international is expected to complete a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, who he has been continuously linked with amid his contract disputes.
Mail Sport was the first English newspaper to report that Madrid were confident of securing Alexander-Arnold back in December – and not much has changed along the way.
And, speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday, Slot was quizzed on the defender’s departure.
‘I think like everybody who likes Liverpool and who is a fan of Liverpool, we are disappointed for him leaving because not only is a good human being leaving the club but a very very good full back is leaving us as well,’ he said.
Arne Slot has broken his silence on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool exit this summer
‘But I also worked at clubs like AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord where every season multiple very good players have left the club so I’m a bit more used to players leaving the club maybe.
‘And by the way, the experience I have – and this club as well – that if a very good player is leaving, the next very good player will step up and that’s probably what will happen now.’
Mail Sport also reported earlier this week that Real have held discussions with Liverpool over the early release of Alexander-Arnold from his contract.
The Spanish giants would like the England international in their squad ahead of the Club World Cup where their opening fixture is against Al Hilal in Miami on June 18.
No figures have yet been mentioned or even floated in discussions between clubs though it is understood Madrid are looking to offer around £850,000.
The initial contacts have simply been Madrid signalling an intent to ask.
And when pressed on these reports, Slot smiled as he provided his response.
‘Do you know where he’s going then?,’ he asked. ‘OK, no he hasn’t said anything about it himself, only that he’s going to leave the club, so for me it’s impossible to comment on where he’s going and if that is a club that will play in the Club World Cup.
‘You see in my smile that we both know where he’s going to but it hasn’t been said yet so that’s impossible for me to comment on.’
Elsewhere, Alexander-Arnold’s decision to depart Liverpool has been criticised by many and some sections of the Reds support have been left furious and Slot was asked about the reaction.
He said: ‘It is a bit more negative than he is used to. I am not here to tell the fans how they should react.
‘I am hoping all the energy on Sunday goes to the players and our squad, and not to Trent unless it is positive.’
Slot was then also pressed on team selection for the weekend and whether Alexander-Arnold would play over Conor Bradley and if the Northern Irishman is in a position to replace the 26-year-old next season.
‘Team selection is as it is,’ Slot said. ‘The same thought process will go through my end for the Sunday game. If Conor would’ve been available for Chelsea he would’ve started, but he wasn’t , so there’s a fair chance he will do on Sunday.
‘Let’s not compare with Trent already, they are different types in my opinion, we all see Conor’s potential.
‘Last week I walked on pitch with him and for me, it was a surprise to hear from him, he had a comment about the stadium and it was the first he was there as well. For me he is already there ahead of development than being at Chelsea for the first time.
‘Unfortunately he hasn’t been fit all season but to become a good player you have to be fit all season but we have a lot of confidence in him as a very good full-back for Liverpool.’
Meanwhile, in a statement on social media confirming his exit, Alexander-Arnold had written: ‘After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season. This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.
‘I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No. 20.
‘This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.
‘But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.
‘I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club, and I hope you feel like I’ve given back to you during my time here. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody – my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff and our incredible supporters – for the last 20 years.
‘I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never, ever take for granted the special moments I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all. My love for this club will never die.’
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