After two decades with Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold broke his silence on May 5, 2025, to announce that he will leave Liverpool at the end of this season, his boyhood club, to seek a new challenge in Real Madrid.
Though some cryptic flashes in recent days, popping up in Mohamed Salah’s Instagram Story, a passionate celebration in front of the Anfield stands when he scored his last goal for the club against Spurs, sent Kopites into a beacon of hope and heartache. Were those glimpses a hint that he might yet stay?
As for now, we have the answer: those scenes were the last memories he made before leaving the Merseyside.
As Kopites labeled him a traitor for embracing their UCL rival, we cannot ignore the legacy of the Scouser who transformed the role of the modern full-back.
Before we bid farewell in earnest, here are the top five moments of Alexander-Arnold that I believe provided the Kop with exactly what they desired—and reminded us why he will always be one of our own. Regardless of the level of respect or disdain toward him.
1. Senior-team Debut
On October 25, 2016, 18-year-old Alexander-Arnold made his senior debut for Liverpool as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup Fourth Round at Anfield.
Before his Anfield debut, Klopp had been tracking Trent’s progress in the academy, marveling at how the 16-year-old full-back commanded Liverpool’s U18s as captain and repeatedly outshone senior pros in training with pinpoint crosses, fearless defending, and composure under pressure.
After inviting him into first-team drills and watching him master set-pieces and one-on-one duels, Klopp felt confident enough to hand the 18-year-old his senior bow in a League Cup tie against Tottenham.
When Trent stepped onto the pitch that night, his assured passing and tactical intelligence validated Klopp’s risk, leading swiftly to Premier League and Champions League starts—and laying the foundation for a career that would redefine the modern right-back role at Liverpool.
2. “That” UCL Semi-final Corner
It was the Academy product’s third senior season, yet Alexander-Arnold announced himself to the world during Liverpool's remarkable 4-0 comeback against Barcelona in the 2018–19 Champions League semi-final's second leg.
With Liverpool behind 3–0 on aggregate at Anfield, he made a pivotal contribution in the 54th minute with a precise cross to Georginio Wijnaldum for the second goal, who quickly added the third just two minutes later.
The fourth goal resulted from his extraordinary efforts. In the 79th minute, Trent delivered a lightning-quick corner—taken without any touches between restart and delivery—that reached Divock Origi, who headed in the fourth goal, propelling Liverpool to one of football’s greatest comebacks and securing their place in the final.
3. 2019–20 Peak Season: Ballon d’Or Talk & Premier League Title
The 2019-20 campaign was huge for every Liverpool player, including Alexander-Arnold, who helped the team UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and the long-awaited PL title.
During the season, Trent averaged an astonishing 0.34 assists per league match, supplying a record-equalling 13 assists, the most ever by a defender in a single Premier League campaign.
His creativity wasn’t limited to set pieces; in tight “battles” against Manchester City and Chelsea, he often dictated play from the right flank, completing 192 accurate long balls and creating 18 big chances that season.
That season also brought his first nod in global individual awards contenders. Though the 2020 Ballon d’Or was ultimately canceled, he was voted as the 19th-best player in the world in December 2019 as the highest-ranked full-back.
At the end of the season, he was awarded the inaugural Premier League Young Player of the Season award, won the PFA Young Player of the Year accolade and was named in the PFA Team of the Year.
4. First Captain Duty
On December 9, 2020, Trent Alexander-Arnold achieved the milestone of being Liverpool’s youngest-ever European captain at the age of 22 years and 63 days.
He led a squad featuring many teenagers in a 1–1 Champions League draw against FC Midtjylland.
Selected by Klopp for this low-stakes final group match after recovering from injury and amidst a lineup of academy graduates, Alexander-Arnold captained the team for the first 61 minutes before passing the armband to Jordan Henderson.
He later expressed that it was a “proud moment” and a fulfillment of his lifelong dream as a Scouser.
This achievement allowed him to surpass Jamie Carragher’s previous record from 2000, making him the youngest captain in Liverpool's European history.
Additionally, he ranks as the third-youngest captain in any competition for the club, following only Steven Gerrard and Carragher, underlining the significant trust Liverpool had in their academy talent.
5. 2024–25 Season: Defensive Prowess and Last Hurrah
Before the confirmation of his final season with Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold silenced skeptics and transformed his defensive image with improved performances, demonstrating fearless tackling against attackers and avoiding critical errors.
Under Arne Slot, who reviewed matches with him to refine his defensive skills, he showcased his commitment to improving.
Amidst speculation about his future, Alexander-Arnold also delighted fans by scoring the only goal in a 1–0 victory against Leicester City on April 20, 2025, marking his 350th appearance and bringing Liverpool one win closer to securing the title.
His exuberant celebration, which included leaving his jersey at the corner flag, sparked confusion about his intentions, leading some to believe he might remain.
Although he made the decision to leave a few weeks later, his heroic farewell deserves recognition.