Trent Alexander-Arnold endured an awkward return to Liverpool training on Monday, days after reportedly agreeing to leave Anfield for Real Madrid in the summer.
The Liverpool right-back, who has been an integral part of the Reds’ success under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot since emerging through the club’s academy, is set to join the LaLiga giants at the end of the season when his contract expires.
It was widely reported earlier this week that Alexander-Arnold’s proposed move to Madrid had already been signed and sealed. While Mail Sport understands that this claim was premature, it is believed that both the player and Real Madrid are confident that a deal to take Alexander-Arnold from Anfield to the Bernabeu on a free transfer will go through once the season ends.
The decision has made Alexander-Arnold an unpopular figure on Merseyside as far as Liverpool’s fans are concerned, with several supporters accusing the Liverpudlian of turning his back on the team by leaving for nothing.
With the international break done and dusted, the Reds return to Premier League action on Wednesday with a crucial Merseyside derby against bitter rivals Everton, sitting 12 points ahead of Arsenal in the title race.
Despite Alexander-Arnold’s impending exit, Slot will be eager to use the best players at his disposal across Liverpool’s final nine games, as the Reds chase down their second title of the Premier League era.
Trent Alexander-Arnold endured an awkward return to Liverpool training on Monday
The Reds right-back reportedly agreed to sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer
He went round shaking his team-mates’ hands upon arriving at the Reds’ AXA Training Centre
In a video posted to social media by Liverpool’s official account on Monday, Alexander-Arnold could be seen awkwardly shaking hands with team-mates Dominik Szobozslai, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo as he returned for training at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby.
The right-back appeared to not to make sustained eye contact with any of the players, while his team-mates all cut dejected figures.
Earlier in the video, Mohamed Salah was full of smiles as he welcomed Joe Gomez to the training centre, after enjoying a chat with Szobozslai.
Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also at risk of leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, with both superstars’ contracts expiring on June 30, like Alexander-Arnold.
Alexander-Arnold, 26, has been at the Merseyside club since joining the youth academy back in 2004.
After breaking into the first-team in 2016, he has represented the Reds in 349 senior games and helped bring seven different pieces of silverware to Anfield.
News of his impending departure sparked anger among some Liverpool supporters, with the England right back becoming the subject of widespread abuse on social media, while one fan went as far as filming a video of themselves burning a shirt that was printed with ‘Alexander-Arnold 66’ on the back.
Several pundits have urged that Alexander-Arnold is within his right to pursue a move to Real Madrid, playing down the controversy.
Alexander-Arnold fails to make eye contact with Alexis Mac Allister after shaking his hand
Alexander-Arnold has been at Liverpool since joining the club’s youth academy back in 2004
He has won seven different trophies with Liverpool, including the UEFA Champions League
Chris Sutton said on Mail Sport podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ earlier this week: ‘Just because Trent wants to leave, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have great affection for the club.
‘He has been there for more than 20 years. All in all, it’s his choice. I think with the backlash – do these people have a great understanding of football?
‘I think this criticism is coming from knuckleheads. He’s given great service to Liverpool. He’s won everything he can win with the club and now he wants to try something different.’
Meanwhile, former Arsenal and England star Paul Merson told Sky Sports: ‘I don’t know what the problem is.
‘He’s come through there, he’s been unbelievable. He’s won everything in the game there, at Liverpool, and he’s going to go on a free.
‘Look at Antony, he’s just been bought by Man United for £80million [in 2022] and he’s now out on loan and no one says a dicky bird.
‘This lad has been absolutely outstanding for Liverpool. He hasn’t come in as a £60m flop. He’s been through the ranks, he’s come into the team, he’s been phenomenal. And… it’s Real Madrid. Do you know what I mean?
An angry Liverpool fan took to TikTok this week to burn a shirt printed with the player’s name
Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are also yet to agree contract extensions at Liverpool
‘He’s won the league [in 2020]. He’s going to win the Premier League with Liverpool again [this season]. He’s won the Champions League [in 2019], and I don’t see a problem with it. I really don’t.
‘I don’t know anybody in the world of football who’s ever turned Real Madrid down, I don’t. Fair play to the lad, good luck to him.
‘I think Liverpool fans should be happy for him.
‘He’s given everything for that club, and I think he deserves that move, in my opinion.’
