Skip to main content

Football

Alexander-Arnold's exit a 'pity' for player and Liverpool, says Slot

trent-alexander-arnold_1cn02l3tosaob10gmr8j2q9tzl.jpg

Arne Slot says it is a "pity" that Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool after he bowed out as a Premier League champion on Sunday.

Alexander-Arnold was introduced at half-time in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, waving goodbye to Anfield for the final time in Liverpool colours.

Advertisement

The England right-back is reportedly expected to join Real Madrid, and he had experienced a mixed reaction from Liverpool supporters following confirmation of his exit.

However, the Anfield crowd offered a much more positive response when he was introduced on the final day, and Slot says that both Liverpool and Alexander-Arnold will miss each other.

"He's leaving such a great club and he knows, he feels that," Slot said on Sky Sports. 

"He has been at this club for 20 years, he knows everyone here, team-mates, staff members. It is normal that even only being in a club for a few years, you're going to miss it, let alone 20 years and let alone Liverpool.

"The fans showed a great reaction towards him, but the quality he showed again today is why it is such a pity he is going to leave."

Alexander-Arnold played his 354th and final game across all competitions for Liverpool, ending with 23 goals and 86 assists for his boyhood club.

The 26-year-old created 677 chances in that time, a remarkable tally from full-back, across his 28,167 minutes on the pitch.

Slot felt Alexander-Arnold deserved a fond farewell after a couple of weeks of being left in the cold by Liverpool's supporters, with their reaction prompting criticism from former boss Jurgen Klopp in the build-up to the Palace game.

"It was always the plan to give him some playing time," Slot added. "This was a good moment for him to come on and impact the game.

"Conor [Bradley] has been great the last few weeks, but he [Trent] deserved to be on the pitch for all he has done for me, for his team-mates, for the fans.

"He deserved to be on the pitch one last time at Anfield."

Upcoming Matches

competition-logo
English Premier League
Gameweek 16 of 38
Saturday, 13 Dec
11:00 PM
Liverpool-team-logo Liverpool
Brighton Hove Albion-team-logo Brighton Hove Albion
11:00 PM
Chelsea-team-logo Chelsea
Everton-team-logo Everton
Sunday, 14 Dec
01:30 AM
Burnley-team-logo Burnley
Fulham-team-logo Fulham
04:00 AM
Arsenal-team-logo Arsenal
Wolverhampton Wanderers-team-logo Wolverhampton Wanderers
10:00 PM
Nottingham Forest-team-logo Nottingham Forest
Tottenham Hotspur-team-logo Tottenham Hotspur
10:00 PM
Sunderland-team-logo Sunderland
Newcastle United-team-logo Newcastle United
10:00 PM
West Ham United-team-logo West Ham United
Aston Villa-team-logo Aston Villa
10:00 PM
Crystal Palace-team-logo Crystal Palace
Manchester City-team-logo Manchester City
Monday, 15 Dec
12:30 AM
Brentford-team-logo Brentford
Leeds United-team-logo Leeds United
Tuesday, 16 Dec
04:00 AM
Manchester United-team-logo Manchester United
Bournemouth AFC-team-logo Bournemouth AFC

Must Watch Video