Trent Alexander-Arnold, the iconic Liverpool FC player, has officially announced his departure from the club at the end of the current season. He is angling for a move to Real Madrid. His move to the Spanish giants will unfortunately dwarf his incredible tenure at Anfield. With three months of his 20th birthday to go, Alexander-Arnold was getting ready for his first-ever interview outside the UK as a Liverpool player, back in March 2017. He was soon to be the youngest starter in back to back European Cup finals.
Alexander-Arnold’s story with Liverpool started at the tender age of six years old. He was raised just two minutes down the road from the home of Melwood, the club’s training complex. From forward to deep-lying playmaker and then a little further down the pitch into remoulded full-back. This evolution has been central to Liverpool’s successes over the last year. Through the years, he’s been the catalyst behind the entire team’s performance. Under his management, they won each of the game’s biggest trophies and put an end to a 30-year run without the league title.
Expected to soon join Real Madrid, despite his dazzling achievements, the subsequency lurking scandal around that transfer continues to eclipse his local legacy. Many fans are left contemplating how this move might affect the bond he has cultivated with the Liverpool community throughout his career.
Alexander-Arnold’s connection to Liverpool runs deep. At 17, he left the West Derby home that ringed the old training complex. Even with this lifestyle shift, his identity as a Liverpudlian is still very powerful. He frequently tweets to proclaim, as a representative of his hometown. Playing for Liverpool has been his number one dream since a little boy.
“I didn’t want to be playing for the likes of Bayern Munich, I wanted to be a Liverpool player.” – Trent Alexander-Arnold
Looking back on his time at the club so far, Alexander-Arnold said few could appreciate just how special the trophies winning in his era are. It’s flattering and all, but added that Manchester City have the advantage when it comes to titles. To him, the emotional importance of Liverpool’s success weighs far more than that, to himself and the supporters.
“Looking back on this era, although City have won more titles than us and have probably been more successful, our trophies will mean more to us and our fanbase because of the situations at both clubs, financially.” – Trent Alexander-Arnold
The young defender’s ability to smash high into the roof of the net in front of the Kop to beat Michael Owen’s record by 98 days further solidified his place in Liverpool’s storied history. As he prepares to leave, Alexander-Arnold maintains that being part of Liverpool is more important than any specific position on the field.
“Playing for the club I love is more important than any position.” – Trent Alexander-Arnold
His deep emotional bond with supporters shines through as he pays tribute to all the fans instrumental to his career thus far. He knows that he has a responsibility to them to give his best efforts because they are part of his longhouse.
“Everybody that owns my kit, everybody that owns any Liverpool kit – I owe them something. I owe them my best. Because I’m one of them. We’re family.” – Trent Alexander-Arnold
In addition to his accomplishments on the pitch, Alexander-Arnold has been vocal about the unique spirit of Liverpool and its people. He thinks outsiders could potentially make a mistake by reading their intensity wrong, but to him it’s what makes the club and its supporters passionate and special.
“There’s a difference to this place. People who aren’t from Liverpool probably think we’re over the top, but that’s because we’re really passionate about the things we love. We stand united on important issues and we fight for what we believe in with everything we’ve got.” – Trent Alexander-Arnold
As he departs The Reds, it’s still unclear where he could end up under his contested contract. The club has been keen to prevent him from leaving without compensation, especially given his significant contributions over the years.
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