It had been an open secret for months… although the renewals of Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk raised the possibility of an unexpected twist. But after celebrating with Anfield the Premier League title that eluded him in 2020 due to the pandemic, Alexander-Arnold issued a statement announcing his departure from Liverpool at the end of the current season… awaiting confirmation of his move to Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold's farewell letter to Liverpool

Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool’s academy at just six years old, made his first-team debut in October 2016 at the age of 18, and after 352 matches, has decided to say goodbye to Anfield at age 26 with this emotional message: “After 20 years at Liverpool, the time has come to confirm that I will leave at the end of the season. This is the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life. I know many of you have wondered why or felt frustrated because I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to stay fully focused on the best interests of the team, which was to secure the 20th title.”

“This club has been my entire life, my whole world, for 20 years. From the Academy to now, the support and love I’ve felt from everyone, inside and outside the club, will stay with me forever. I’ll be forever grateful. But I’ve never known anything else, and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, stepping out of my comfort zone, and pushing myself both professionally and personally. I’ve given everything every day I’ve been at this club, and I hope you feel I gave something back during my time here.”

Alexander-Arnold could play the Club World Cup with Real Madrid

Liverpool, after rejecting an offer during the winter transfer window to sell Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid in hopes of convincing him to extend his contract—just like Salah and Van Dijk did—also officially announced his departure from Anfield: “The 26-year-old player will end his two-decade relationship with the Reds after deciding to leave Anfield once his contract expires on June 30, 2025.”

According to Fabrizio Romano, Alexander-Arnold and Real Madrid have already signed all the documents to finalize the deal. However, the big question remains: when will his arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu be officially announced? According to 'Diario AS' days ago, Liverpool would be willing to accept a symbolic transfer fee of one million euros to bring forward Alexander-Arnold’s arrival at Real Madrid so he can be available to play in the Club World Cup. Arnold would, however, have to give up his final month’s salary.