Real Madrid has long been vying for the services of Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold, who announced that he will leave the team in the summer.
When Liverpool played Manchester United at Anfield in January, Trent Alexander-Arnold undoubtedly appeared preoccupied. And it was clear what was causing the Reds’ number 66 to put on such an odd show.
What was already known was that Liverpool had no intention of accepting Real Madrid’s offer for his services in the run-up to the game. In the summer, Carlo Ancelotti’s team wanted Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer, which it has finally completed, but they were prepared to pay a comparatively minor amount to advance that goal by six months.
When the Spanish giant’s bid was flatly refused, it received the message and withdrew. Even though Alexander-Arnold’s performance against Manchester United didn’t cost him anything, he will ultimately still end up at the Bernabeu.
However, it might have cost Liverpool more in the midst of the significant choice on his future. The Premier League title was won by the Reds at a relative canter despite dropping points against a rival.
“I think first and foremost, I want to say it’s not an easy decision and there’s a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it,” Alexander-Arnold said this week on the Reds’ official website when discussing his decision to quit the team he grew up with.
