Trent Alexander Arnold confirms departure from Liverpool at the end of season: 'Hardest decision I’ve ever made'

Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed on Monday his decision to part ways with boyhood club Liverpool at the end of the ongoing Premier League, describing it as the “hardest decision” of his life. The 26-year-old defender, a Liverpool academy product who has called Anfield his home throughout his playing career, parts ways with the Reds after helping them win their 20th top-flight title and their second of the Premier League era.

Alexander-Arnold finally ends silence on Liverpool future

The Liverpool native’s decision also comes less than a year after Jurgen Klopp bid Anfield an emotional goodbye after managing the club for nine years. The 26-year-old was part of Klopp’s side that won their second UEFA Champions League title in the summer of 2019, and registered their maiden Premier League triumph the following year.

Alexander-Arnold also helped the team win the FA Cup in 2022 along along with two League Cups (2022 and 2024).

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… pic.twitter.com/emAw5RvXq0

— Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) May 5, 2025

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“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,” said Alexander-Arnold, who has been heavily linked to a free transfer to Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold has been part of the Liverpool setup since the age of six, having represented the club at various age levels, his impressive performances helping him break into the senior team in 2016. He has made 352 appearances for the club since then, including 257 in the Premier League – scoring 23 goals and producing 92 assists since then.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has informed Liverpool FC of his intention to leave the club this summer upon the expiry of his current contract.

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 5, 2025

Arne Slot, who led Liverpool to victory in his maiden season in charge after succeeding Klopp, was faced with the challenge of handling the drama surrounding the future of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold at Anfield, with the contracts of all three Liverpool stars initially set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season.

However, while Salah and van Dijk extended their stay at the club by two years, Alexander-Arnold’s decision to not follow suit made his exit from Liverpool something of an open secret.

“This club has been my whole life – my whole world - for 20 years,” Alexander-Arnold further wrote in his social media post.

“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,” he added.

Alexander-Arnold will make his final appearance for Liverpool in their home game against Crystal Palace on 25 May.