Trent Alexander-Arnold confided in friends that he doesn’t remember playing in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United in January, according to a report.
The concerning performance came just days after Real Madrid had tabled a shock bid for the defender, with many believing the Spaniards would wait until the end of the season before landing him on a free transfer.
The 26-year-old’s anticipated move to the Bernabeu has now moved a step closer after he announced he will be leaving his boyhood club when his contract expires at the end of the term.
Alexander-Arnold’s performances have largely been unaffected by rampant speculation over his future, with the one exception coming during the Reds’ contest against bitter rivals United at Anfield earlier this year.
The defender endured a torrid evening, took a barrage of abuse from fans in the stadium and many more on social media. He was slammed for ‘schoolboy defending’ by Roy Keane and Arne Slot was forced to bat away suggestions that the Madrid links had an impact on his display.
According to The Telegraph, the LaLiga side’s bid had a profound effect on the defender that evening and scrambled his head to such an extent that he fails to recall the events of the match.
Trent Alexander-Arnold confided in friends that he does not remember playing against Man United in January
The defender endured a miserable evening against the Red Devils, with the match coming just days after Real Madrid’s £20million bid
The outlet also reveals that Reds sporting director Richard Hughes was the first to check on Alexander-Arnold and that gesture ‘meant a lot’ to the defender.
Madrid’s £20million bid set shockwaves through Anfield and even led to Reds legend Jamie Carragher suggesting that Alexander-Arnold or his representatives had encouraged the approach.
‘They’re bullies, Real Madrid. My problem with it is, they have bid on the back of Trent Alexander-Arnold or his agent saying “put a bid in”,’ he said on Sky Sports. ‘Because they wouldn’t put a bid in, they wouldn’t do that unless they get the say so.’
The defender finally ended months of speculation over his future on Monday morning, when he released a statement on social media announcing his decision to leave his boyhood club.
‘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,’ he wrote. ‘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.
Alexander-Arnold will link-up with England team-mate Jude Bellingham (right) at Real Madrid
The 26-year-old has just three more matches left in Liverpool red before he departs at the end of the term
‘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’.
Meanwhile, in a club statement on their website, Liverpool wrote: ‘The 26-year-old will bring his two-decade-long association with the Reds to an end having made the decision to depart Anfield once his deal ceases on June 30, 2025.
‘Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success.’
Mail Sport was the first English newspaper to report that Real Madrid were confident of securing Alexander-Arnold way back in December – and not much has changed along the way.
It is understood that the contract is not officially signed yet but will be soon, with the England international set to join his good pal and Three Lions team-mate Jude Bellingham in the Spanish capital.
