So Trent Alexander-Arnold was unveiled as a Real Madrid player today and he surprised many by speaking in fluent Spanish during his presentation.

We have stayed on top of the happenings in Madrid and the England full-back's first news conference as a Los Blancos player that followed - the key talking points from which can be revisited from the recap post directly below this entry.

That's all from us as far as this situation is concerned, but we hope to be back soon with more breaking stories. See you then.

Trent Alexander-Arnold seemed to make a good first impression, greeted with an enthusiastic round of applause by gathered 'Madridistas' after addressing them in fluent Spanish.

Here are some of the headlines of his grand unveiling at Real Madrid's training complex:

• 'The only club I would leave Liverpool for'
• 'Something that is out of reach for most players'
• Alexander-Arnold on learning from 'idol' Xabi Alonso
• 'Can't wait to be a champion'
• 'A dream come true'
• Alexander-Arnold's unveiling in pictures

Real Madrid

One of the big talking points of Trent Alexander-Arnold's presentation to the Real Madrid fans was his fluency in talking Spanish during his welcome speech.

The Liverpool full-back later revealed that he had been learning for months, something that even took club president Florentino Perez by surprise

"I think he [Perez] was happy with the amount of Spanish I was able to speak, which I think surprised a lot of people," said Alexander-Arnold.

"For me, it was important to be able to do that and it shows that the intent I have got is to come here and have a good start, to get off on the right foot and to achieve something straight away, starting with the Club World Cup."

Real Madrid

Image source, Getty Images

Trent Alexander-Arnold on the contrast of emotions between his final day at Anfield and his first at Real Madrid: "Being at Liverpool for so long and experiencing everything I did was incredible. Knowing that was coming to an end was obviously always going to be emotional for me. I felt like I went out in a way that I am happy about.

"The send-off that I got, the way the club treated me, the way the fans were as well, was outstanding. I couldn't say a bad word.

"Also, speaking to the players, the manager, the owners - they were all incredible as well. I had a lot of support, which was a huge help.

"We had an amazing conversation in the last couple of days with the owners, who were very warm and welcoming and thanked me for everything I gave in service to the club. They wished me well on my future journey and said I will always be welcome back at the club at any point. To have those words from the club is amazing and to be sent off in the perfect way.

"Now, to be here, facing a new challenge and on a new journey for me, is equally as exciting. Very, very excited, absolutely over the moon to be here."

Image source, Getty Images

A number of Real Madrid top honchos and former players were in attendance as Trent-Alexander Arnold was unveiled as their new player.

It included Real president Florentino Perez, who presented the No 12 shirt to Alexander-Arnold, as well as former Spain international Jose Martinez Sanchez, nicknamed Pirri, who was beaming as the England international started speaking in fluent Spanish.

Among the faces familiar to Alexander-Arnold in the crowd was Alvaro Arbeloa, the Spanish full-back who played for Liverpool between 2007 and 2009.

Brazil full-back and 2002 World Cup winner Roberto Carlos, who was part of the Galacticos alongside David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo among others, was also in attendance.

Among other famous names who gathered were Santiago Solari and Emilio Butragueno, who played in the Real first-team between 1984 and 1995.

Ask Me Anything

Image source, Getty Images

Trent Alexander-Arnold wore the number 66 shirt on his Liverpool debut - against Tottenham in the EFL Cup in October 2016 - and never switched.

The full-back had no personal connection to the number - it was simply allocated to him as a youngster.

But even when he overtook Nathaniel Clyne to become the Reds' first-choice right-back, he opted to stick with 66.

Liverpool kit co-ordinator Lee Radcliffe told the club's website: "When we get any young lads that come down from the academy, we always deliberately try to give them a high-ish number. We don't like to give them a low number in case they think they've made it straight away.

"When you see him now lifting trophies and celebrating with No 66 on the back, it's a weird feeling and I can't really describe it. It's weird to see such a high number and for someone to be happy with it!

"Obviously Trent's got quite attached to the number."

Alexander-Arnold is not the only current England player to have a high squad number early in their career and persist with it.

Both Declan Rice (41) and Phil Foden (47) have maintained the shirt numbers with which they made their professional debuts.

Real Madrid

Image source, Getty Images

A final word from Trent Alexander-Arnold on his decision to leave Liverpool: "I have known for a long time that if I was ever going to leave Liverpool then the only club I would leave them for would be Real Madrid.

"You get to a point when you have to make a decision - that wasn't an easy decision because I have been there for so long.

"Eventually, you have to make a decision and in my mind I've made the right one."

Real Madrid

John at 01:06 thinks Trent Alexander-Arnold could become a Ballon d'Or contender now that he has moved to Real Madrid.

The former Liverpool man was asked about the coveted prize during the news conference and whether his dream to win it was a motivating factor in him joining Real.

He answered: "I don't think it [winning the Ballon d'Or] influenced my decision to come here at all. Being in a club like this, with the team I have now joined, it is going to be quite hard to win the Ballon d'Or with the amount of superstars in this team.

"It's exciting. These are the kinds of players I want to play with. I have admired them. I have played against them, so know how good they are. To be a part of the team and to be playing with them, rather than against them, will be good."

Image source, Getty Images

Trent Alexander-Arnold says he is "still pinching myself" after signing for Real Madrid.

And that brings down the curtain on the news conference which followed his presentation as a Los Blancos player.

But don't go anywhere as we still have plenty of quotes from the England full-back that we will be bringing you shortly here.

Image source, Getty Images

Ask Me Anything

Image source, Getty Images

Trent Alexander-Arnold wore the number 66 at Liverpool, but La Liga rules prevent him from doing so at Real Madrid.

Spanish top-flight clubs must name a 25-man 'A' squad at the start of each season, and every player included is obliged to wear a number from 1-25, with goalkeepers allocated the numbers one, 13, and 25.

Youth players not included in the initial 'A' squad can wear higher numbers.

At the time of Alexander-Arnold's signing, the only outfield numbers available between one and 25 were 12 and 18, and the England international opted for the former.

Real's number 12 was previously worn by France midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, but he switched to number six a year ago after the departure of Nacho Fernandez.

Prior to that, it was worn for 16 years by Brazilian left-back Marcelo, who won 25 major trophies during his time with the club.

Former Bolton defender Ivan Campo also wore that number during his four-year stint at the Bernabeu.

As you may have already noticed, Trent Alexander-Arnold not only has a new name at the back of his shirt but also a new number.

The full-back wore the No 66 shirt during his time at Liverpool, but will now don the No 12 shirt at Real Madrid.

And here's BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team explaining the reasons why.

On having just 'Trent' at the back of his Real Madrid shirt, Trent Alexander-Arnold says he wants to make things easy as people called him by different names when he travelled to Europe.

"People call me Alexander, Arnold, Alex and Trent. There's a lot going on. So I though let's make it easy. Trent at the back of the shirt. I guess that's what people will call me," he says.

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid

Image source, Getty Images

Trent Alexander-Arnold on contact with England team-mate Jude Bellingham about joining him at Real Madrid: "Yeah we spoke. It wasn't exactly what people might think it was. We spoke a lot about Liverpool, we spoke a lot about Madrid - the kind of conversation you have as players and as friends.

"You want to know what it is like, of course. In the national team, he is the only player that knew what it was like to be at real Madrid, so everyone was asking questions.

"A lot of people think he played a huge part in me coming here, but to be honest the club speaks for itself.

"It was a huge opportunity for me, it felt like it was the right time for me as well - a chance for me to go an do that."

Real Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold on whether he ever believed he would play in the white of Real Madrid on previous visits to the club: "It's not something you dream of because it is something that is out of reach, not a reality for a lot of players. There is only a select handful of English players to have played for the club and to have represented it.

"At that time when I was younger, about 10 or 11 years ago now, I was not exactly thinking that I would be here today, I was just focused on learning and being as good a footballer as I could be.

"To be here is a dream. It is something that is very special. I don't take it for granted. And I am very happy."

On asked if his style of play will be appreciated more in Spain than in England, Trent Alexander-Arnold says he just wants to help Real Madrid win trophies and be the best version of himself.

"If people don't' like or appreciate the way I play, it is what it is. As long as the manager appreciates the way I play and plays me, then I'm happy with whatever," he adds.

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold on why Xabi Alonso was an inspiration to him: "He is someone who probably impacted my game a lot growing up, seeing him pass a ball. I explained this to him as well.

"Watching him pass a ball - seeing it influenced me to go and train harder at that and have a great hunger to be able to do that and to set standards.

"Of course, we have not had chance to formally meet yet. We will have a proper chat I am sure over the next few days and be able to talk about what he expects from me.

"It's not just me who is new here. He is a new manager who has got to get his ideas across to the whole team, which might take some time. But he has shown how amazing he is - managerial wise and as a player. His knowledge of football is there in abundance.

"I am excited. I will be a sponge around him, trying to soak up all the information I can to learn from him."