Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed that he is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, bringing an end to his 20-year association with the club.
The right-back has been at the club since the age of six, and his contract is set to run out in June.
He has confirmed that he has no intention of renewing his contract while expressing his desire to take up a new challenge.
Alexander-Arnold announced his decision in a statement on Monday.
He said: “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.
“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.”
The English defender expressed his gratitude to the club’s fans for their support all through the years.
He said: “There’s a lot I would like to say. The main thing is a massive thank you. You guys have been there from the start with me, you guys have supported me, been there.
“I’ve felt the support, the love, everything that you guys have done has never been unnoticed by me, I’ve loved every single minute of it. I hope they have felt that they have been reciprocated and that I’ve given everything I could to the club.
“I’m just hoping that we’re able to carry on winning games, the noise [around my decision] doesn’t take away from the fact of what we’ve achieved this season.”
Alexander-Arnold was one of the three key players whose contract was set to run out in the summer alongside the duo of Mohammed Salah, and Virgil Van Dijk.
Salah, and Van Dijk signed new deals in April to extend their successful stay at Anfield.
The 26-year-old has made 352 appearances and scored 23 goals for the club since making his debut in 2016.
He has been pivotal in Liverpool’s Premier League title triumph this season with three goals, and six assists coupled with numerous impressive performances.
Alexander-Arnold has won two Premier League titles, one Champions League trophy, one FA Cup, and two League Cups for his boyhood club.
He is expected to join Real Madrid after the expiration of his Liverpool contract in June.
