Trent Alexander-Arnold's exuberant celebration after scoring the only goal of that key game against Leicester last month, which put Liverpool one win away from the Premier League title, caused many to question whether he would in fact be leaving Anfield.

Was the game's dramatic conclusion an iconic moment in Alexander-Arnold's storied career at Liverpool, but was it a farewell?

It came days after Virgil van Dijk's decision to join Mohamed Salah in signing a new two-year contract, and also Real Madrid's defeat to Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Alexander-Arnold again remained tight-lipped about those talks with Real Madrid, but was eager to show his commitment to Liverpool's title challenge.

"I have said all season that I am not going to speak on my situation. I am not going to go into the details," said the England defender after his match-winning goal at King Power Stadium.

"But days like this are always special. Scoring goals, playing games, winning games, winning titles - they are special moments for me and I am glad to do my part."

Image source, Getty Images

After both Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk signed new contracts, Arne Slot suggested that keeping his Liverpool team together would mark a "big summer" for the club.

Before Liverpool's 1-0 win at Leicester on 20 April, which put them on the brink of a second Premier League crown in six seasons, he insisted Trent Alexander-Arnold's future was still "not done".

"It's already a big summer now," said Slot. "It was a big thing - 'can we hold on to them?'.

"And by holding on already to two, it's already a big summer and let's see what the rest of the summer will bring.

"It would be strange for me to say now I'm not happy with the team we have, because I've said it for a year so we are happy with the team we have. Maybe if we can even keep that team that would already be a big summer."

Asked about Alexander-Arnold's situation, head coach Slot said: "Let's see what the future brings."

Image source, Getty Images

Arne Slot's first summer in charge of Liverpool following his appointment as Jurgen Klopp's replacement left fans with more questions than answers about how this new era might take shape.

Federico Chiesa proved to be the club's only signing during the summer window, raising concerns that the squad was short on the necessary numbers and quality to mount a serious title challenge.

The fact that the contracts of three key players - talismanic forward Mohamed Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk and attacking full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold - were all due to end in the summer of 2025 sounded further alarm bells.

But concerns over the squad were melted away by results, as Slot galvanised the players left behind by Klopp into a winning machine.

Yet, even as the Reds juggernaut careered towards a 20th top-flight title, nagging doubts remained about the future, with Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold still not signed up for the long-term.

Then a breakthrough - first Salah then Van Dijk signed new two-year deals in April.

There was still no news on Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool prepared for last month's Premier League game at Leicester, but by this point Slot was sounding a different tone...that maybe, just maybe, the full-back could be ready for a change of heart?

Image source, Getty Images

Trent Alexander-Arnold has just three more games to play in a Liverpool shirt.

First up is a home match against Arsenal on Sunday, before a trip to Brighton on 19 May.

His final match will be back at Anfield against FA Cup finalists Crystal Palace on the final day of the Premier League season.

• Sunday - Arsenal (H)
• 19 May - Brighton (A)
• 25 May - Crystal Palace (H)

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Liverpool

“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. I’ve been here 20 years now, loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams, achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to here.

“Giving everything day in, day out for 20 years, I’ve got to a point now where I feel like I need a new change, a new challenge for me as a player and as a person. And I think now is the right time for me to do that.”

“There’s a lot I would like to say. The main thing is a massive thank you. You guys have been there from the start with me, you guys have supported me, been there.

“I’ve felt the support, the love, everything that you guys have done has never been unnoticed by me, I’ve loved every single minute of it. I hope they have felt that has been reciprocated and that I’ve given everything I could to the club.

“I’m just hoping that we’re able to carry on winning games, the noise [around my decision] doesn’t take away from the fact of what we’ve achieved this season.

“It has been an amazing season. It has been amazing to be part of it and I just hope that everyone is able to maybe not dwell on this news for too long and be able to celebrate what the rest of the lads have done.”

Liverpool making clear it was Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave in that statement published on the club's official website.

There were also some more words from Alexander-Arnold - those are coming up now.

Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold has informed Liverpool FC of his intention to leave the club this summer upon the expiry of his current contract.

The 26-year-old will bring his two-decade-long association with the Reds to an end having made the decision to depart Anfield once his deal ceases on June 30, 2025.

Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool’s Academy at the age of six and progressed through the ranks at youth level before making his senior debut in 2016.

He has gone on to make 352 appearances for the Reds to date, scoring 23 goals and lifting eight major honours, including this season’s Premier League title.

Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success.

Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he is leaving Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season, with the right-back expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.

The defender was widely anticipated to leave Anfield and after months of speculation Alexander-Arnold has confirmed his decision to depart the club he joined as a six-year-old.

Liverpool have also confirmed the player has informed them of his departure to leave.

Alexander-Arnold will now finalise his move to Real Madrid ahead of next season, though it remains to be seen whether the deal can be confirmed in time for the England star to play in the Spanish club’s Club World Cup campaign.

Talks between Alexander-Arnold and Real are at a very advanced stage with sources close to the deal insisting only a hugely unexpected turn of events will prevent the full-back from moving to the Spanish capital.

Image source, Getty Images

• By the summer of 2024, and with just a year left on Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract, his relationship with fans had become more strained. The 26-year-old England full-back irritated some Reds supporters in October by saying in an interview that he would rather win a Ballon d'Or, external than another Champions League with Liverpool.
• In December, he celebrated scoring against West Ham with a 'chat' gesture, referencing the gossip about his future. That brought more fan frustration given that by not publicly stating his desire to stay or leave, Alexander-Arnold had done little to quieten speculation.
• At the start of the year, reports that Real Madrid had made an offer coincided with a tough afternoon for Alexander-Arnold against Manchester United, leading to abuse from some of his own fans inside Anfield.
• News broke at the end of March that Real Madrid were in talks over finalising a deal for Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer this summer.
• Reports then surfaced earlier this week, external that the Liverpool full-back was ready to leave Anfield early and sign for Real Madrid before the start of this summer's Club World Cup.
• Today's statement from Alexander-Arnold confirmed that he would leave at the end of the season for a "new challenge".

Liverpool

• Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool at the age of six and was given his first-team debut by Jurgen Klopp in October 2016.
• He established himself as a key member of a side that won the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup in the space of 14 months in 2019 and 2020.
• Alexander-Arnold signed a new four-year contract in 2021 and scored penalties in shootouts of both finals as Liverpool won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in 2021-22.
• The England full-back was named in the PFA team of the season for the third time at the end of that campaign and in July 2023 was named Liverpool vice-captain.

Image source, Getty Images

It is fair to say that this news is not totally unexpected, James. Though Liverpool fans did hold out some hope after Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah signed new contracts.

Liverpool

Image source, PA Media

"I've given my all every single day I’ve been at this club, and I hope you feel like I’ve given back to you during my time here. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody – my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff and our incredible supporters - for the last 20 years.

"I've been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never, ever take for granted the special moments I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all. My love for this club will never die."

Liverpool

Image source, EPA

"After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season. This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life. I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No.20 (20th league title for Liverpool).

"This club has been my whole life – my whole world - for 20 years. From the academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all. But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally."

Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season.

More to follow.

Image source, PA Media