Trent Alexander-Arnold has acknowledged that he was uncertain about how Liverpool supporters would react to him during his last match for the club in the final game of the season on Sunday.
Alexander-Arnold has come to the conclusion of his contract with Liverpool without having signed a new agreement and is set to depart from his childhood team in just a few days to join Real Madrid.
A nominal transfer fee has been arranged, allowing the defender to participate with his new team at the FIFA Club World Cup in three weeks, ensuring that the Reds do not end up completely empty-handed.
Nevertheless, this represents a significant acquisition for the Spanish club.
During the recent match against Arsenal, Liverpool fans jeered and booed Alexander-Arnold at Anfield, and it appears he was apprehensive that a similar reaction would occur during the visit of Crystal Palace on the day Arne Slot’s team was awarded the Premier League trophy.
“I was unsure of what to anticipate when stepping onto Anfield today after the events that transpired,” he expressed to Sky Sports following the final whistle, initially suppressing his emotions before ultimately breaking down after the interview.
Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench when Liverpool travelled to Brighton & Hove Albion a few days after the booing had taken place.
He then didn’t start against Crystal Palace and there was no guarantee he’d get on the pitch to bid a proper farewell to the only club he’s known for 20 years.
It was his own insistence on playing that saw him replace Conor Bradley at the midway point. Thankfully, for his sake, it was a warm reception from the supporters.
“I wanted to play for the club one more time,” Alexander-Arnold said.
“I told the manager, and he trusted me. The reception means so much to me. I have never felt more loved and more cared for than today.
I hope that one day the fans are able to recognise the hard work I put in for this team. “From six to 26, 20 years is a very long time.
I have loved every second of it, it has been an honour and a privilege to be a part of this club.
I’ll remember these moments for the rest of my life.
This day will go down as the best in my life.
”Alexander-Arnold may owe some of that to former boss Jürgen Klopp, who was put out at the way the player had been treated on his previous Anfield appearance.
“I don’t want to tell you what you have to think.
I can tell you what you think is wrong,” Klopp said at a charity event in Liverpool on Friday.
“I don’t tell you that you should not be angry, you should not be disappointed, I tell you don’t forget. This club doesn’t forget.
“I watched the [Arsenal] game when he came on and I heard the booing. I switched the [television] off.
Honestly, I could not have been more disappointed at this moment.
He gave absolutely everything and wears the Liverpool badge in the skin.”