Andy Hunter

Full-back did it all for his boyhood club and is off to a new reality where his game will face increased scrutiny

Before basking in the acclaim and adulation of the Kop when No 20 was sealed two Sundays ago, Trent Alexander-Arnold headed for the suits. There was a warm embrace between the Liverpool star and Michael Edwards, chief executive of football at Fenway Sports Group, and another with Richard Hughes, the man who initiated contract talks with Alexander-Arnold’s brother and agent prior to starting as the club’s new sporting director last summer and has faced a losing battle on that score ever since.

• ‘This is the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life’
• 26-year-old long been linked with move to Bernabéu

Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he is leaving Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 26-year-old is set to join Real Madrid as a free agent after Liverpool were unable to convince the homegrown talent to extend his highly successful career at Anfield. Liverpool, who sealed their 20th league title last month, are understood to have offered Alexander-Arnold a new contract that would have made him the best paid full-back in the Premier League and one of the highest paid in the world.

• ‘This is the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life’
• 26-year-old long been linked with move to Bernabéu

Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced he is leaving Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season, paving the way for a free transfer to Real Madrid.

The 26-year-old confirmed the decision on his social media channels on Monday. He informed Liverpool head coach, Arne Slot, that he would not be signing a contract extension at the end of March but kept the news private to avoid distracting from the club’s successful pursuit of the Premier League title. He is believed to have verbally agreed a five-year contract with Real Madrid that reports in Spain claim will be worth around £7.5m per year after tax.