Trent Alexander-Arnold explains Liverpool exit after claims ‘fans will never get it’

Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid over the summer, ending any hopes fans might have had of seeing him spend his entire career at Anfield

Trent Alexander-Arnold reiterated that his decision to leave Liverpool was the toughest of his life. The England international is now at Real Madrid, having signed a six-year deal with the Spanish club, and some Reds fans remain frustrated by the manner of his exit.

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen moved in the same direction during his own playing career, and argued some fans who support the club no matter what were never likely to side with the player. Sections of the support gave Alexander-Arnold a tough time towards the end of last season, prompting player of the year Mohamed Salah to urge fans not to boo him.

Now, speaking to GQ Espana (via Football Espana), Alexander-Arnold has opened up further on his reasons for trading Anfield for the Bernabeu. “It was one of the hardest decisions of my life. Liverpool is my home; it made me who I am. But Madrid felt like the right step, at the right time,” he said, echoing sentiments from his farewell message to Reds fans.

“It was ambition and a personal desire for change. To challenge myself in a new environment. Of course, Real Madrid’s legacy is undeniable. But more than that, what attracted me was my ambition and the desire to test myself in new surroundings.

“It’s a challenge, but one I welcome. Playing at the Bernabeu is sacred. You can feel the weight of the shirt, but that’s what drives you to give it your all.”

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Owen’s Madrid adventure lasted just one year, with the striker returning to the Premier League with Newcastle. Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast earlier in the week, he shared his feelings on how fans reacted to Alexander-Arnold’s move.

“I didn’t like it,” he said of the backlash towards the defender. “I understand it, of course. We understand it because we live it and we’ve lived it all our life and we’re in and around football.

“But fans will never get it because they’ve got a badge there and until the day they die, they will always support that badge. And no matter what the club do, they might do wrong. “

Alexander-Arnold has started two of Real Madrid’s three league games this season, coming on as a late sub in the other, but has yet to hit top gear. Los Blancos have a 100 percent record under new manager Xabi Alonso, with Arda Guler and Vinicius Junior on target in a weekend victory over Mallorca.

He has been left out of England’s squad though, with Thomas Tuchel turning to Chelsea’s Reece James and versatile Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento ahead of the Madrid man. “I spoke to Trent. It was a difficult phone call but I wanted him to hear it from me. Which he appreciated and he was very clear that he’s desperate and keen to come back and play for England,” Tuchel said.

“It’s all in the mix but it is a competitive decision. And just to make the competition a little bit more spicy. First and foremost, I think Trent is a player who needs to feel trust and love from his manager and team-mates and from his club, his country and the fans. He needs that.

“Reece is at the moment slightly ahead in this position, given what he did for us in the last two camps and how he played the CWC with Chelsea. And then we went for Tino Livramento because of the rhythm that he has and he gives us the option to cover both sides.

“Ben White had a very good chance to be with us. I was very happy with his preseason and the feedback I got from him and from the club about his preseason. He started, straight away got injured, that ruined his chances with us. He would’ve had a very good chance with us.”

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