Which defenders have the most Premier League assists?published at 13:14 British Summer Time 5 May
Since the start of the Premier League in 1992, no defender has recorded more assists than Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Image source, Reuters/BBC SportSummary
Recap the reaction as Alexander-Arnold announces he is to leave Liverpool at the end of the season
Alexander-Arnold 'expected to join Real Madrid' & Bradley the 'next cab off the rank' - Sami Mokbel & Phil McNulty analysis
One of the finest attacking full-backs in the world & one of the all-time Premier League defenders? Stats and analysis
Reaction from fans is mixed - some wish him well, while others say believe he's making the wrong choice
Which defenders have the most Premier League assists?published at 13:14 British Summer Time 5 May
Image source, Reuters/BBC SportAlexander-Arnold's startling assist statspublished at 13:09 British Summer Time 5 May
Football never stands still.
Once this news has had time to settle, Liverpool will have to turn their thoughts to replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold.
How do they do that? Well, the answer has to be with great difficulty.
The 26-year-old defender is widely regarded as one of the best attacking full-backs in the world - hence why Real Madrid have been targeting him.
That means Arne Slot will not only have to find someone to replace Alexander-Arnold at right-back, he will also need to find a player to plug the gap left in their supply line.
Alexander-Arnold leaves the Premier League with a set of stats on assists to rival some of the division's very best...in any position!
Image source, Getty ImagesAlexander-Arnold will be remembered for good things - Van Dijkpublished at 13:04 British Summer Time 5 May
Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool
Image source, Getty ImagesSpeaking before Alexander-Arnold confirmed his Liverpool departure, captain Virgil van Dijk said the England full-back will "always be remembered for good things".
The Netherlands centre-back said: "Since I joined the club, he has been a fantastic player and there's a lot of good things that he will always be remembered for if he decides to leave.
"Whatever may happen in the future for him, that's something he has to resolve with himself and the family."
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 5 May
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Firstly, when Madrid call, players listen. Secondly, some of the vitriol and histrionics on display when it was rumoured he may be leaving may well have contributed to Trent’s decision. To say he should be booed for the remaining games is absurd. Good luck and go well. A brave professional and personal decision by Trent.
John in the Northern Hills
The rain in Spain falls mainly on the...roofpublished at 12:55 British Summer Time 5 May
We are thinking Paul that if Trent Alexander-Arnold does complete his expected move to Real Madrid, he is unlikely to ever play in the rain...at the Bernabeu at least!
Image source, Getty Imagesget involved Get Involvedpublished at 12:50 British Summer Time 5 May
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It’s absolutely lashing it down in Madrid today so at least Trent will feel right at home in that regard.
Paul, post working on the Madrid Open
Good luck with the next chapter - Hendersonpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 5 May
Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson reacts on Instagram to Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving: "What a journey! It's been amazing to see you grow as a player and a person over the years. Thank you for everything and good luck with the next chapter.... Just keep being you and challenging yourself everyday! The scouser in our team!"
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 12:43 British Summer Time 5 May
Jordan Henderson - Liverpool's captain during that run to the Champions League and Premier League title wins in 2019 and 2020 - has taken to Instagram to wish his former team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold well.
The England midfielder made the controversial decision to leave Anfield for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq at the end of the 2022-23 season, before making the switch to current club Ajax in January 2024...
Alexander-Arnold's best moments with Liverpoolpublished at 12:38 British Summer Time 5 May
Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool
Image source, Getty ImagesA few of you have already mentioned it - that Trent Alexander-Arnold's best moment for Liverpool was during their miraculous Champions League semi-final comeback against Barcelona in 2019.
The full-back feigned to leave a corner before quickly stepping back to sweep the ball towards Divock Origi in the penalty area. The Barca defence had switched off, allowing Origi to make it 4-0 and secure Liverpool a remarkable 4-3 victory on aggregate.
Liverpool went on to beat Tottenham in the final and Alexander-Arnold's quick-thinking has already been immortalised in a banner on the Kop.
Image source, Getty ImagesLate in 2019, Liverpool were the Champions League holders, had added the Uefa Super Cup and were the Premier League leaders. Then in their first game since winning the Club World Cup that December, Alexander-Arnold demonstrated his importance to the team during their trip to Leicester.
He put in a superb performance against a side who were second in the Premier League table, claiming two assists, helping the Reds claim a clean sheet and firing in the final goal in a 4-0 victory. They went on to win their first league title in 30 years.
Image source, ReutersOur very own Phil McNulty said that Alexander-Arnold's bare-chested celebration after scoring the winner at Leicester last month "will become an iconic image of Liverpool's march to the Premier League title".
Phil also asked if it was a farewell... we now know it was.
Postpublished at 12:35 British Summer Time 5 May
This could be the right time to remind ourselves just why Trent Alexander-Arnold has a mural devoted to him on the streets surrounding Anfield...
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 12:31 British Summer Time 5 May
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A wise man once said “Stay here and they will end up building a statue in your honour, go somewhere else, and you will be just another player.”
Ameer
'The 21st century statue' - more on Liverpool's muralspublished at 12:29 British Summer Time 5 May
Want to find out more about the iconic artwork dedicated to Liverpool's legendary heroes?
Click on the play icon below...
Media caption, 'Murals are the 21st century statue' - Liverpool's iconic artwork
Alexander-Arnold and his mural - the ultimate club honour?published at 12:26 British Summer Time 5 May
Image source, Getty ImagesYou know you have made it at a club when you have a mural dedicated to you on a prominent building somewhere close to the stadium.
It is almost always a homegrown player - a unique gesture made by the club or its supporters to "one of their own".
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford has one, Tottenham honoured Harry Kane in this way...Trent Alexander-Arnold's is one of many in the city dedicated to past and present Liverpool players and managers.
His mural comes complete with a quote: "I'm just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has just come true."
These words have, at times this season, been a source of frustration for supporters as they waited on their homegrown talent to commit his future to the club.
At times that frustration has boiled over, with posters also cropping up on buildings around Anfield questioning Alexander-Arnold's loyalty to a club he joined aged just six.
Yet, equally, there has been an outpouring of support and gratitude for what the 26-year-old has brought to Anfield after devoting 20 years of his young life to the Reds - as player and supporter.
Image source, Getty Imagesget involved Get Involved - Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpoolpublished at 12:10 British Summer Time 5 May
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I'm not sure why anyone is really comparing Mac Allister to Trent.... they're completely the opposite and even Mac Allister didn't get Brighton as much money as he could have done as the transfer clause was very low. If that hadn't been in place they'd have got twice as much money for him. He could have stayed another season, signed a new contract with a bigger release clause!
Alex
Jones reacts to Alexander-Arnold newspublished at 12:06 British Summer Time 5 May
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool midfielder and England international Curtis Jones has reacted to Trent Alexander leaving on Instagram: "Thank you for everything brother. Legend. Good luck"
'Madrid is calling'published at 11:57 British Summer Time 5 May
Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool
Sami Mokbel
BBC Sport Senior football correspondentIt’s the lure of a new challenge - the prestige of becoming a Galactico, that is understood to be the overriding motivation for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Indeed, while he will undoubtedly be well remunerated in the Spanish capital - with well-placed sources indicating that his basic wage in Madrid will be supplemented by a healthy commercial and image rights package - Liverpool were willing to make Alexander-Arnold one of the best paid defenders in Premier League history to sign a new contract at Anfield.
But you get the impression that money isn’t the sole driver for Alexander-Arnold. He’s won everything there is to win with Liverpool.
He is going out a winner, too; playing a key role in the club’s 20th league title triumph. Winning at Real Madrid puts you on different stratosphere, though.
The lure of Real, even for someone as emotionally attached to his surroundings as Alexander-Arnold is, is hard to resist.
Alexander-Arnold, upon his exit, will relinquish the vice-captaincy - a role Mohamed Salah is understood to be a prime candidate to fill ahead of next season.
Leaving home will carry an emotional burden but a new challenge is on the horizon for Alexander-Arnold.
Madrid is calling.
get involved Get Involved - Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpoolpublished at 11:52 British Summer Time 5 May
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Regarding Rufus at 10:47 - Trent should be booed if he steps foot on the pitch during the last three games; this is worse than Michael Owen. We can’t and won’t have a drink with him, because like the banner aimed at Steven Gerrard said, he who betrays will always walk alone, and he’s shown less loyalty as a scouser than an Egyptian and a Dutchman.
Finn
What trophies has Alexander-Arnold won at Liverpool?published at 11:48 British Summer Time 5 May
Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool
Image source, Getty ImagesSince making his first-team debut for his hometown club in 2016, Trent Alexander-Arnold has gone on to win nine honours with Liverpool.
- Premier League - 2019-20, 2024-25
- Champions League - 2019
- Uefa Super Cup - 2019
- Fifa Club World Cup - 2019
- FA Cup - 2021-22
- League Cup - 2021-22, 2023-24
- Community Shield - 2022
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, ReutersAlexander-Arnold stats for 2024-25 seasonpublished at 11:44 British Summer Time 5 May
Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold has remained a mainstay of the Liverpool defence during their 35 Premier League games so far this season:
- Appearances - 31 (28 starts)
- Goals - 3
- Assists - 7
His stats in all competitions during 2024-25 are:
- Appearances - 42
- Goals - 4
- Assists - 8
Alexander-Arnold stats from Liverpool careerpublished at 11:40 British Summer Time 5 May
Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold's Premier League record with Liverpool:
- Appearances - 257
- Goals - 18
- Assists - 64
- Clean sheets - 72
In all competitions:
- Appearances - 352
- Goals - 23
- Assists - 86
Premier League Scores and fixtures
All times are UK and subject to change. BBC is not responsible for any changes.
Premier League Table
Skip to table key
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 25 | 7 | 3 | 81 | 35 | 46 | 82 |
| |
| 35 | 18 | 13 | 4 | 64 | 31 | 33 | 67 |
| |
| 35 | 19 | 7 | 9 | 67 | 43 | 24 | 64 |
| |
| 35 | 19 | 6 | 10 | 66 | 45 | 21 | 63 |
| |
| 35 | 18 | 9 | 8 | 62 | 41 | 21 | 63 |
| |
| 35 | 18 | 7 | 10 | 54 | 42 | 12 | 61 |
| |
| 35 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 55 | 49 | 6 | 60 |
| |
| 35 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 55 | 42 | 13 | 53 |
| |
| 35 | 15 | 7 | 13 | 62 | 53 | 9 | 52 |
| |
| 35 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 57 | 56 | 1 | 52 |
| |
| 35 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 50 | 47 | 3 | 51 |
| |
| 35 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 44 | 48 | -4 | 46 |
| |
| 35 | 12 | 5 | 18 | 51 | 62 | -11 | 41 |
| |
| 35 | 8 | 15 | 12 | 36 | 43 | -7 | 39 |
| |
| 35 | 10 | 9 | 16 | 42 | 51 | -9 | 39 |
| |
| 35 | 11 | 5 | 19 | 63 | 57 | 6 | 38 |
| |
| 35 | 9 | 10 | 16 | 40 | 59 | -19 | 37 |
| |
| 35 | 4 | 10 | 21 | 35 | 76 | -41 | 22 |
| |
| 35 | 5 | 6 | 24 | 29 | 76 | -47 | 21 |
| |
| 35 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 25 | 82 | -57 | 11 |
|
Key
- Position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 : UEFA Champions League
- Position 6 : UEFA Europa League
- Position 18, 19, 20 : Relegation