Trent Alexander-Arnold’s desire to test himself outside of the Premier League has led to his decision to leave Liverpool.
The England right-back has officially confirmed he will be departing Anfield at the end of his current contract.
This announcement comes after Alexander-Arnold’s contract was allowed to run down, with the player widely expected to join Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer.
It is this opportunity that has ultimately prompted him to bring his successful Liverpool career to a close.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was content at Liverpool, and discussions over an extended stay took place.
Sporting director Richard Hughes made securing a new deal for the player a top priority upon his arrival at the club last summer.
Liverpool had already been in contact with the defender, offering him a new contract that would make him the highest-paid right-back in the Premier League.
The talks were described as constructive, with a formal offer on the table.
However, the prospect of a fresh challenge abroad proved too appealing for the England international, something he made clear in his farewell message to Liverpool fans.
Taking to social media, he said: “I think the decision for me is personal.
“To change environment, to challenge myself elsewhere. It’s not about wanting to find something better, it’s about me and my personal journey as a player and I think now is the right time for me to go and experience that.
“People won’t be happy with the decision but it’s something that I feel like I need to do on my journey and my career. “
He added: “I’ve got full confidence in the manager and the staff and the club going forward. It’s not about me thinking we’re not going to fight for titles or fight for trophies season in, season out because I knew from the first few moments with the manager that he was a winner, he was aiming to go and win things.
“And you’ve seen that this season with the way that we’ve played. So it was never about not having confidence in that, it just boiled down to what I felt I needed, and that is a change.
“That’s something I need to do on my personal journey as a person, but also as a player and a professional, to go and challenge myself elsewhere. I feel like a challenge in a different environment is something I need to do as a player.”
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