Liverpool manager Arne Slot hailed the Anfield faithful for their heartfelt send-off to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who made his final appearance on Sunday.
The 26-year-old right-back, who spent two decades with the club, played his 354th and last game before his expected move to Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer.
Two weeks earlier, Alexander-Arnold faced criticism from some fans when he came off the bench against Arsenal, his first match after confirming his departure.
However, the mood shifted dramatically for his farewell. The Anfield crowd cheered his name before kickoff, applauded his second-half introduction, and gave him a rousing ovation when he received his Premier League winners’ medal.
Slot, reflecting on the fans’ response, said, “He deserved it. I’m thrilled for him and everyone at the club that it ended this way. Our fans were incredible, just like they were before, during, and after the Tottenham match a month ago.
“Their support for Trent was no surprise, they’ve been brilliant all season.”
The Dutch manager also praised Alexander-Arnold’s performance, adding, “His second half was outstanding. The passes he played, especially the one to Darwin Nunez, were next-level. You could make a highlight reel that lasts four or five minutes.”
Alexander-Arnold was visibly emotional, seen in tears on the pitch after the final whistle before joining the trophy lift and celebrations.
Slot acknowledged the difficulty of the moment, saying, “You could see how hard it was for him to leave a club like Liverpool. We aim to make it tough for players to go, and while Trent chose to move on, his farewell was unforgettable.”
Recent posts on X from Liverpool’s official account echoed the sentiment, sharing a video of Alexander-Arnold’s emotional lap of honour with the caption, “Forever a Red. Thank you, Trent.”
Fans on the platform flooded replies with messages of gratitude, with one writing, “A legend who gave everything for the badge. All the best, Trent.” No direct quotes from Alexander-Arnold or Real Madrid were found on X regarding the transfer, but the move remains widely anticipated.
