Adiós to Anfield Alexander-Arnold set for Real as he confirms Liverpool exit

Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced he is leaving Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season, paving the way for a free transfer to Real Madrid.

- Andy Hunter

The 26-year-old confirmed the decision on his social media channels yesterday. He informed the Liverpool head coach, Arne Slot, at the end of March that he would not be signing a contract extension but kept the news private to avoid distracting from the club's successful pursuit of the Premier League title.

He is believed to have verbally agreed a five-year contract with Real Madrid that reports in Spain claim will be worth about £7.5m a year after tax. Confirmation of Alexander-Arnold's exit as a free agent is a major setback for Liverpool, although the club believe they did everything within their power to convince the homegrown defender to stay. He was offered a new contract at Anfield that would have made him the best paid full-back in the Premier League and one of the highest paid full-backs in the world. Ultimately, however, the player's desire for a fresh challenge usurped the financial and sporting package on offer at Liverpool.