An old interview with Trent Alexander-Arnold has emerged and revealed that he previously claimed his favourite club, aside from Liverpool, was Barcelona.
On Monday morning, Alexander-Arnold confirmed his decision to leave Liverpool – 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.
While Madrid fans are excited at the prospect of Alexander-Arnold’s potential arrival, the clip which has emerged on social media may cause them to think twice.
In an interview with British GQ, the England star was asked: ‘Which team would you support if it wasn’t Liverpool?’
Trent Alexander-Arnold claimed his favourite foreign team is Barcelona, in an old interview
Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season
The full-back will link-up with England team-mate Jude Bellingham (right) at Real Madrid
He replied: ‘I’d say my favourite other team would be Barcelona. I feel as though they’ve got, kind of, the same values and beliefs as Liverpool.
‘They like to bring players through their academy. I grew up watching [Lionel] Messi in that special Barcelona team with Iniesta, Xavi, [Thierry] Henry, [Samuel] Eto’o.’
It’s well known that Barcelona and Real Madrid have a fierce rivalry over in Spain – as they regularly battle with one another for the domestic titles that are available.
Alexander-Arnold will be hoping that his comments do not draw the ire from Madrid’s fans having already been hounded by Liverpool fans following the news of his exit.
Several fans hit out at Alexander-Arnold’s departure on a free transfer, claiming the club are set to miss out on a lucrative transfer fee.
‘I wish Trent showed loyalty to lose him on a free is stomach churning,’ one fan wrote. ‘But it was poor of the club as well. Can’t be losing a 100 million player on a free.
‘Whatever way you want to dress it up, the people running the club have had a nightmare here as well.’
‘I still can’t quite believe we’re losing Trent on a free,’ another wrote. ’26 years old. His tally of 64 assists is the most by a defender in the Premier League history. Easily worth £100m+. It’s sickening.’
In a statement on social media confirming his exit, Alexander-Arnold wrote: ‘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.
Alexander-Arnold took to social media on Monday to break the news to his followers and fans
Alexander-Arnold has won every trophy possible during his time with the Merseyside giants
Alexander-Arnold played in Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat by Chelsea on Sunday afternoon – before announcing his exit from the Merseyside giants early on Monday morning
‘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’.
