‘Never felt so loved’: Alexander-Arnold thanks Liverpool fans after ‘best day’ of life

Trent Alexander-Arnold described Liverpool’s Premier League title celebration as the “best day” of his life after he received a rapturous reception on his final appearance for the club at Anfield.

The departing Liverpool defender, roundly booed on his previous home outing against Arsenal, was given a magnificent ovation when he stepped up to collect his Premier League winner’s medal after the draw with Crystal Palace. Alexander-Arnold’s free transfer to Real Madrid is expected to be confirmed soon and he was inconsolable at times after his final game for his boyhood club.

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“I didn’t know what to expect stepping out at Anfield after what had happened a few weeks ago,” said the England international. “I wanted to play for the club one more time and he [Arne Slot] trusted me to play. To get the reception I got means more than anything. I’ve played hundreds of games for the club but I’ve never felt so loved and cared for than today.

“Hand on my heart I hope one day the fans will be able to recognise the hard work and everything I have done for the team. There wasn’t a day, minute, second that I didn’t think about the team. From six years old to 26 now, 20 years is a very long time but I’ve loved every single minute of it, the ups and the downs, coming through the academy, making it into the first team, then being part of the first team properly. It’s been an honour and a privilege for me to be part of this club.”

Alexander-Arnold conceded the significance of playing his final game for Liverpool had not sunk in. “It’s all I’ve ever known,” he said. “At times you catch yourself wondering: ‘Yeah, you’ll be back next season.’ And then you realise: ‘No, that’s not the case because it’s changed.’ But I will remember these moments for the rest of my life, especially a day like today. It goes down as the best day for me in my life – a very, very special day and a very, very special achievement for the team and for the club.”