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Alexander-Arnold and an 'extra dimension'published at 10:49 6 May
10:49 6 May
It is often whistling in the wind to ask fans who feel betrayed, as some Liverpool supporters will, to remember the good times. But in this case it can be justified.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has played a pivotal role in the good times Liverpool's global fanbase have basked in, first under Jurgen Klopp then in a remarkable first title-winning season under Arne Slot.
He has made 352 appearances since making his debut in 2016, scoring 23 goals and claiming all of the game's major prizes. In that time, Liverpool have won 234 of those games.
For all the debate around Alexander-Arnold's defensive flaws, these were outweighed by the creative brilliance and stunning range of passing that always gave Liverpool an extra dimension. This is proved by his rate of providing 86 assists in his Anfield career.
Alexander-Arnold will be remembered as the local boy who became a modern Liverpool great. Now he must wait to see if this is fully acknowledged by the supporters who adored him as one of their own wearing the red shirt.
'Top, top players just work well anywhere'published at 09:52 6 May
09:52 6 May
Image source, Getty Images
Signing for Real Madrid will show Trent Alexander-Arnold he is "mentally strong", says Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.
After months of speculation, it was confirmed on Monday the full-back will leave Liverpool at the end of his contract in the summer.
While there is no official news yet on where Alexander-Arnold will be playing next season, it is highly likely to be in Spain with La Liga giants Real Madrid.
"He hasn't signed anything but he doesn't have to sign anything to be a Real Madrid player next, which he will be. There are opportunities to sign something private, and at some point there will be a picture of him with Florentino Perez," Balague told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
"Next thing for Real Madrid is negotiating something with Liverpool on him being able to finish his contract before 30 June so he can participate in the Club World Cup and be a Madrid player as soon as possible at the end of May.
"He is a top, top player and top, top players just work well anywhere.
"It is an interesting situation because Dani Carvajal will come back from injury - in my eyes, he was the best right-back in the world, ahead of Trent - so what the next manager of Real Madrid will have to decide is how to use him. But there is no fear from anyone.
"One of the things you get from signing for Real Madrid is the confirmation that mentally you are strong. You can deal with whatever comes your way. Trent will have to adapt but he will make himself important to Real Madrid, there is no doubt on that."
'Most fans don't understand why you would want to stop that dream'published at 07:59 6 May
07:59 6 May
Would the reaction have been the same if Mohamed Salah had not signed a new contract and left Liverpool for free this summer like Trent Alexander-Arnold?
That was the discussion on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, with New York Times chief football correspondent Rory Smith believing it would have been different if it was the Egyptian.
"To me, it is the perfect time to step away because he [Salah] has won everything and it is the right time to go and challenge himself.
"But the difference between him going for free and Mohamed Salah is that he is a Scouser.
"He is living the dream of every fan and most fans, totally understandably, don't understand why you would stop that dream."
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton added: "It's absolutely extraordinary what he has achieved. Now he's made a choice, done everything and wants to move on. He's entitled to do that.
"Most players, if they could have trodden in his boots, would have made exactly the same decision."
Bradley needs 'genuine competition'published at 18:28 5 May
18:28 5 May
Neil Atkinson from The Anfield Wrap tells BBC Sport Liverpool will need to bring in competition for right-back Conor Bradley after Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed he will leave this summer.
Media caption,
'Trent shouldn't be made to feel he now walks alone'published at 18:28 5 May
18:28 5 May
Football writer and broadcaster Henry Winter posting on social media platform X: "All this stuff about Trent Alexander-Arnold walking alone, it's ridiculous. Yes, hell hath no fury like a fan spurned but some perspective is needed.
"Don't be angry that Trent leaves, be thankful for the time together, the memories shared, the trophies won, the road travelled together. Madrid. Wembley. All over. Don't berate a renowned player with such venom that potential recruits are wary of coming to Liverpool. Don't give rival fans the chance to slate your treatment of a player. However painful, be respectful. Be proud that a local kid your club nurtured has blossomed into one of the best footballers on the planet. Show Liverpool's best traits. Support. Fans stay, professionals move, it's nothing new.
"Trent loves Liverpool personally but professionally he has to make career choices. He's 26. He's been offered the opportunity to play for the biggest club in the world in Real Madrid. He's not joining a domestic rival. He's going abroad, to an unbelievable stadium, city and club. He's going to a place as obsessed with the European Cup as Liverpool, perhaps even more so. He's going to be playing with his mate Jude and with fabulous talent like Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. He'll probably prefer playing with Vinicius Jr than against him. He'll be seeing more of the ball and spraying even more of those famous passes around. Especially if Xabi Alonso comes in as coach. Trent has earned this chance.
"Liverpool fans will be angry, frustrated, feeling let down. But Trent couldn't have revealed his intentions before. He focused on the 20, on being ready to come on and score a sublime, very difficult and hugely important goal as the strike against Leicester City. He's been respectful and today's statement is full of respect. So wish him well, however tough that may be. He's represented Liverpool well, the Scouser in the team. Now he will be the Scouser in the Real Madrid team. What an advertisement for Liverpool's academy, for Liverpool as a club developing such gems of players and people.
"Remember how much he's done for the community, food-banks, helping out those disadvantaged, giving another chance for those released by academies. He's got a moral compass. Liverpool's history is about the celebration of players and also that some leave at their peak. Kevin Keegan did. Like Trent, he went to Europe for a new challenge. Kenny Dalglish came in to Liverpool and the good times continued to roll. He promptly scored the winner in the European Cup final.
Adios, Trent. Hello, Conor Bradley. No player is bigger than the club. And it's not like Trent is leaving Liverpool in the lurch. They have a brilliant new manager, have just won the title, have a superb recruitment operation and will doubtless strengthen in the summer. Trent leaves with a clear conscience and a crammed medal cabinet. Premier League twice, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup. Yes, he goes without Liverpool recouping a fee, and that's an undeniable frustration. He's run down his contract. But he never cost them a fee. Yes, he received expert coaching in the academy and has been well-paid as a first-teamer. And he's paid them back with 23 goals and 86 assists in 352 games. His legacy at Liverpool should be lauded.
Trent shouldn't be made to feel he now walks alone. Liverpool are bigger than that.
Queens Drive DNA - Alexander-Arnold has new roads to conquerpublished at 16:32 5 May
16:32 5 May
Luke Reddy BBC Sport Senior Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
A drive through Liverpool right now offers the chance to see countless flags draped from windows and guttering as fans colour their houses in celebration of a 20th league title.
One on Queens Drive - two minutes along the busy road where Trent Alexander-Arnold lived as a child - explains such success is "part of our DNA". Around the corner, on Marlborough Road in Tuebrook, one fan has managed to hang a flag from a telephone cable, meaning cars pass under it all day long. There is a tangible pride in the air.
Alexander-Arnold has felt this before. He has quite literally stood atop a parade bus and been able to see his childhood home. On Monday, 26 May, he will do so again. The young man has indeed come a long way in the most localised manner.
A European Cup, two Premier League titles and 86 assists have come the way of a player who dreamed of such outcomes when he joined the Reds, aged six.
It must be borderline scary to have achieved so much of what you wished for by the age of 26. What roads are left to conquer? Does the view from the roof of the bus get old? Do you grow a little more numb to the dusting of red smoke?
For a fan, it is almost impossible to grasp why change might be longed for, yet in Alexander-Arnold's world, it is. "I need a new change," he has explained.
There is a world - and one in which it is not too hard to imagine - where Alexander-Arnold's name graced The Anfield Road end. Had a lifetime of service ensued along with maybe a few more trophies, there would have been a strong case - one day - for such an outcome. That, in many ways, is lasting legacy - one's name on a stand or below a statue.
Rightly or wrongly, that now appears far less likely to ever happen. Alexander-Arnold might instead become a Galactico. We can name countless Galacticos. From a legacy perspective, one wonders if the next leg of his journey will ultimately provide the unique, one-club outcome that could have been.
So is it worth it? His weighing of what are personal factors implies so.
Ultimately, some decisions do not come down to legacy but hinge on what an individual places the deepest value upon. For some it is a name on a stand, for others it is personal accolades, for many, it is trophies. It is almost certain Alexander-Arnold will add countless of the latter to his cabinets from here on in, such is his talent and the status of the club he looks set to join.
Of course, there are other key factors and motivations. There's a chance to conquer a language, a new culture, and to grow one's brand in foreign lands. Few of even the most diehard Liverpool fans - the type who scale telephone poles to hang flags - could begrudge the cocktail of plus points and experiences Alexander-Arnold is set to live out and enjoy.
He is ultimately happy with his legacy in his home city and comfortable with the fact it may never deliver a name on a stand. There will instead always be the trophies earned in red to look back on.
In the future, when the dust on a controversial departure settles, one would expect even fans frustrated by his exit to offer nods of respect at one of Liverpool's sons.
The kid from Queens Drive has new roads to conquer. Fans must now conquer their confusion as to why one of their own will no longer be part of their DNA.
'Overall, it's a win-win'- fans on Alexander-Arnoldpublished at 15:32 5 May
Ryan: I'm obviously gutted that Trent has decided to leave. He's been omnipresent for many seasons now, helping us lift many trophies, but no single player is bigger than the club. Who's to say that someone new might come in a be a breath of fresh air? I wish him luck. I just wish we'd have been able to monetise his departure.
Nick: When you give 20 years of your life in service to a football club, and win every trophy possible in the process, while still honouring your contract, I think you earn the right to try something new. He doesn't owe Liverpool anything as he gave the club everything.
Ian: There is no denying he is a talented footballer, good going forward, taking free-kicks and corners and he is an excellent passer of the ball. But his defending has been questioned in recent years and he has proved to be a weak link on several occasions. If he wants to leave, then good luck to him. I'm sure Liverpool will have their sights on an excellent replacement.
Stephen: Wishing Trent all the very best for the future. He has been a great servant for the Reds, has won everything for us, and deserves the opportunity to pitch his talents elsewhere. Fellow Reds fans will not like it, leaving on a free etc, but the board only have themselves to blame for that. Thanks for everything Trent, you redefined the roll of the full-back, along with Andy Robertson.
Dan: Very happy for both him and Liverpool. He's been a loyal, long-serving player. Lots of people in jobs leave for a new challenge. Good luck to him. Equally, the right-back position has been the proverbial running sore under Jurgen Klopp, who singularly failed to address the fact that Trent can't defend well. Thankfully, Arne Slot has had the resolve to try different options and hopefully Conor Bradley will turn his potential into greatness. Something had to give. So overall, it's a win-win.
James: Can't blame him for wanting a new challenge. I wish him all the best unless he is playing against us. The sadness of losing one of our own is somewhat helped by the fact that although Trent is the far superior individual player with the ball at his feet. I do genuinely believe we are a better much more balanced team with Conor Bradley. Just look at the difference in yesterday's game when Bradley came on.
John: It's not the norm nowadays for a player to spend their entire career at one club. The fact he is a Liverpool boy makes it harder for the fans, and as a fan I'm disappointed. But from his point of view it is completely understandable. If you have a chance to play for another footballing giant, in another country, why not? Good luck to him.
It'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 a 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.
'I need a change' - Alexander-Arnoldpublished at 10:33 5 May
10:33 5 May
Image source, Getty Images
Trent Alexander-Arnold says he has "given everything I could to the club" after confirming he will leave at the end of his contract.
After joining at the age of six, the full-back has spent 20 years with the Reds, making 352 first-team appearances and scoring 23 goals.
He has lifted eight major honours, including the Champions League and most recently this season's Premier League title.
Speaking to the club website, he said: "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."
How do you feel about the news?
Disappointed? Happy that the saga has come to an end?
Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpoolpublished at 10:19 5 May
10:19 5 May
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool have confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave the club at the end of the season.
The announcement brings an end to the season-long questions over his future with the 26-year-old's contract expiring in the summer.
On a post on their social media, external, Liverpool said: "Trent Alexander-Arnold has informed Liverpool FC of his intention to leave the club this summer upon the expiry of his current contract.
"Trent will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success."
Richard: Excellent from Chelsea. The chips were down but they came up with a performance. Enzo Fernandez is now more of an attacking threat from midfield, Romeo Lavia's return has added to the team and Cole Palmer is on song again. Very encouraging that our fate is in our own hands with key trips to Newcastle and Nottingham Forest yet to come. Hang on in there!
Jeremy: I've criticised Enzo Maresca multiple times, so it's only right I praise him for the way the team shaped up and played. We completely played the champions off the park, and it arguably could have been more. A massive win for our top-five dreams.
Sam: That's the Chelsea I know. The best performance of the season when we needed it the most. Another three more performances like that in the league and we can look forward to the Champions League.
Liverpool:
Karen: A poor showing from the champions. Folded like a cheap tent in a soft breeze. Chelsea had the intention of winning, gave Liverpool a rough ride and despite having the most possession failed to rise to the occasion. Poor performance, - very poor.
Alex: Honestly who cares, the league is won. Doesn't matter in the slightest what happens in the past few games! Play the second team, get some game time and experience under their belts while they can!
Ian: Proof that Harvey Elliot and Wataru Endo are not good enough and Curtis Jones also struggled. Missed the first team today. When they brought Alexis Mac Allister and and Dominik Szboszlai on, they started bossing the game. Feel sorry for the fans who travelled.
Catch up on the Premier League actionpublished at 08:06 5 May
08:06 5 May
Mark Chapman presents highlights and analysis from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.
'I did not see a drop for many things'published at 19:00 4 May
19:00 4 May
Image source, Getty Images
Arne Slot spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Liverpool's defeat against Chelsea: "For many things I didn't see a drop off. Today, we could see why we have won this league - we brought the ball out from the back really well.
"We came back after being 2-0 down and we didn't give up, but I have said before margins are small.
"In some moments a few percentages were not there."
"They [Chelsea] were a constant threat on the counter-attack, but they have a very good team. Well organised and so many great individuals.
"It will always be a difficult game to play here, but for us to play the way we did tells me also why we won the league, but it also tells me if you have a small drop off in the final third you can concede or not score.
"A wise man once said to me 'nothing good comes from losing a football game' and that's how we experience it.
"Yes, we slipped twice with a goals conceded, but the amount of times we could play through Chelsea was much more than half a season ago.
"In the final third we were not as aggressive and we missed a few percent to score the goal."
Did you know?published at 18:38 4 May
18:38 4 May
Image source, Getty Images
Only John Terry (19) and Dion Dublin (14) have scored more headed goals from corners in Premier League history than Virgil Van Dijk (13). The Liverpool captain is the top scoring defender in the competition since his first full season with the Reds in 2018-19 (21).
Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool - send us your thoughtspublished at 18:25 4 May
Sutton's predictions: Chelsea v Liverpoolpublished at 11:14 4 May
11:14 4 May
I would usually be asking which Chelsea side will turn up, but that applies to Liverpool too this week.
Arne Slot's side could have been out all week celebrating their title win and we don't know how that will affect them.
You often play at your best when you have been on the lash in a scenario like theirs. For example, some of my best games for Celtic came after nights out where we had won something and were allowed to have a couple of beers, but I don't know what to expect here.
Chelsea have nicked a couple of results recently, to stay in the race for the top five, but their performances have not been too convincing and their fans still don't seem to have taken to Enzo Maresca's playing style.
This is not the test for them that it would be if Liverpool were trying to close out the title but I don't think Slot is the type to let anyone take their foot off the gas. He will put out a strong team and even if they play with more freedom, I still think Liverpool will leave with the points.
Chelsea are winless in their past 10 meetings with Liverpool in all competitions (drawn seven, lost three). Only once before have they gone longer without a win over the Reds (11 from 1985 to 1990).
Mohamed Salah, 32, has 28 Premier League goals for Liverpool this season and needs one more goal to equal the record for goals by a player aged 30 or older in a campaign, held by Didier Drogba for Chelsea in the 2009-10 season (29).
A 'ghost goal' and a 'mythical lady'published at 08:11 3 May
08:11 3 May
Luke Reddy BBC Sport senior journalist
Image source, Getty Images
"We don't know whether it was a goal or not. I'm sure people will talk about it - but we're going to the final. We're going to Istanbul."
Those were the words of captain Steven Gerrard 20 years ago today after Luis Garcia's 'ghost goal' carried Liverpool through the Champions League semi-final, beating Premier League winners Chelsea by a single goal over two legs.
Gerrard was right, people did talk. In the weeks that followed, a myth swept the Merseyside city and it went something like this...
A former Liverpool secretary - an elderly lady now retired - was said to have been sitting directly in line with the goalline. Asked about the moment that carried a generation of Liverpool fans to their first European Cup final, she is said to have answered with a resounding 'yes, it did cross the line'.
Case closed, then. If anyone is going to end doubt, surely it is a gran-like figure, one you would trust with your savings, house keys and matchday ticket?
Or maybe it is just a football myth, one swept from the dust of one of the greatest nights in Anfield history.
It is somehow romantic that a night so vivid in colour and packed with narrative contains such a plot twist.
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Liverpool fans found novel ways to watch training in the lead-up to the semi-final
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho spoke pre-game about how his league winners would stand up to the swirl of an Anfield semi-final.
But this semi-final was different.
A generation of supporters who knew what European Cup finals looked like only through VHS video replays could sniff the chance to live one out in its true form.
By lunchtime, Liverpool city centre cut the look of a place where a day's work had been finished early, with bars filling and fans preparing for the night to come.
As 6pm rolled in, flags, banners, songs and expectation filled the streets around Anfield. By shortly before 8pm, Anfield was as alive as it has ever been. It was ferocious.
By 8.04pm, the ferocity paid its first - and most telling - dividend, a 'ghost goal' to send Liverpool to an Istanbul final which they should have lost in every lifetime bar the one we live in.
There was intimidation - each and every time a Chelsea player collected a ball for a throw-in, he did so faced with a cluster of charged home fans doing everything bar sitting on their hands.
There was hope - why should the images of European Cup success live only in the heads of parents and grandparents when just one win sat between a modern-day re-run?
And there was passion - song after song, roar after roar, every 50-50 duel on the pitch treated like a cup final of its own by those in the stands.
There can be little wonder it was decided the ball had crossed the line.
For decades, players - in both red and opposing colours - have talked about the ball being 'sucked' towards goal at The Kop end. It was on this night in telling fashion, prompting an extraordinary outburst of celebration initially, which would then give way to over 90 minutes of nerves and anxiety.
There were tears. Mourinho stood with his arms around his distraught players after the final whistle, while Anfield took on the look of a red-and-white hurricane. Those wearing blue had lost and were lost within it all. A tidal wave of home emotion and a ghost all in one night - it is indeed a lot to deal with.
Garcia's prod, a three-goal fightback in the final and a shootout win. It is like it was all meant to be.
Had VAR existed, such history may never have been written.
But who needs VAR when a mythical lady could see what no-one else could anyway?
