Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has revealed what he really thought about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s controversial decision to join Real Madrid.
The defender caused uproar among the Reds fan base when he revealed he would be leaving the club for Spain, with it initially looking like he would be departing for free after a 20-year stay at his boyhood club.
However, Arne Slot’s side did secure a £10million fee from Madrid for Alexander-Arnold to join them early and therefore play in the Club World Cup.
Nevertheless, many Liverpool fans were left incensed by Alexander-Arnold’s move, as they believe it was done in bad faith and did not leave the club with sufficient funds to replace him.
And now, Werner has conceded that he and other club chiefs shared the disappointment of many fans.
The 75-year-old businessman diplomatically thanked Alexander-Arnold for his contributions, but could not completely hide his emotions.
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner admitted he was disappointed at Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave
Werner said he sympathises with Liverpool fans and revealed that the whole club hierarchy were also disappointed
Alexander-Arnold controversially joined Real Madrid on a free after 20 years with the Reds
‘We do respect the fact that Trent has moved on,’ Werner told Liverpool Echo.
‘I told someone recently this story about seeing Trent on the last weekend of the season, with Billy [Hogan, chief executive] and I just wanted him to know from me personally we are and were as a club thankful for all his contributions.
‘He showed me a picture when he was seven years old, when he was a young kid at the academy, and I have a lot of fondness for all that he has done and so it is time for him to move and time for us to replace him.
‘We do wish him well and I understand the emotions of supporters who were disappointed and we were disappointed too but it is overshadowed by my wonderful memories of him.’
Werner went on to share a standout memory of Alexander-Arnold in red, and reminisced over his assist to Divock Origi in the 2019 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.
Alexander-Arnold quickly took a corner to catch Barca’s defence napping, which was tapped in by Origi. The goal sealed a historic 4-0 win at Anfield and overturned a three-goal deficit from the first leg to secure Liverpool a spot in the final.
‘I’ll never forget that pass he made, the corner he took, for the fourth goal against Barcelona,’ Werner added.
‘That was just a work of genius and as a football fan, watching some of his assists, the way he would pass the ball 30-plus yards to a specific point and create a goal was just…no wonder Real Madrid are delighted.’
