After winning several trophies, including two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy, Liverpool academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave the club for Real Madrid.
He received a farewell as Liverpool’s most brilliant talent in recent years, though he has been booed a few times by fans as they believe his move demonstrates his ‘ungratefulness’.
Real Madrid’s Quest for Wing Reinforcement
For years, Real Madrid have been failing to fill their squad with quality players on the wings. They started with Dani Carvajal, and although he had a brilliant 2023/24 season, his performances have declined as he got older.
He was injured for most of the season, forcing Carlo Ancelotti to play Lucas Vázquez or deploy Federico Valverde out of position. Now, after investing in the attack (Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler), Florentino Pérez invested in another superstar, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Tactical Challenges Under Xabi Alonso
The question surrounding Trent is the question that also surrounds Madrid: How will Xabi Alonso set his team up? Trent Alexander-Arnold’s rise was conditioned by the permission Klopp gave him to neglect defensive duties, instead focusing on his attacking prowess.
Arnold functions as a dynamic full-back, who eventually becomes an offensive right-back. However, he always had a defender or midfielder to cover the spaces he left behind. This is where Alonso will need to find a balance, as Arnold is known to find it difficult to track back.
Fairytale ending ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jZbRu10oN9
— Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) May 26, 2025
Alexander-Arnold also does not know who he would be paired with, as Rodrygo’s future is uncertain. This means he may have to adapt his playstyle. This would be similar to Mbappé, with Alexander-Arnold eventually finding a compromise for his new role, but one he would not be aware of yet.
At Liverpool, he compensated for Mohamed Salah’s movements, who rarely stayed out wide. Meanwhile, Carvajal was the type of full-back to run up and down the wing, which is unlikely to be the case for Alexander-Arnold.
A Devastating Loss for Liverpool
There is no doubt that his exit is a curse for Liverpool. Most homegrown players who go on to become title winners stay at the club. It is not that he did not feel attached to the club, having grown up with Liverpool’s colours.
At his farewell, Alexander-Arnold said that he “never felt loved as much”. However, his ambitions have led him to go to Madrid instead. For Liverpool, and especially coach Arne Slot, it means losing a major asset to the team. The right-back market is far from expansive, meaning Slot will need to find someone to replace Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool’s Quick Response: Jeremy Frimpong
Liverpool quickly shifted gears and found Alexander-Arnold’s replacement. They did not wait until the end of summer: his successor is Jeremy Frimpong. In other words, Slot’s plans are unlikely to experience a major hit with the exit of Alexander-Arnold, given Frimpong’s similarity.
🚨 BREAKING: Jeremie Frimpong set to join Liverpool, here we go! 🔴💣
Agreement done for Dutch right back as Bayer Leverkusen are informed on €35m release clause being triggered.
Understand Frimpong will sign a five year deal with medical now being scheduled.
New RB for #LFC. pic.twitter.com/Nw1UKQTboH
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 17, 2025
He is also a player who may strike some as defensively frail, but who can justify it through his qualities going up the pitch.
Fan Betrayal and Community Division
Liverpool’s issues are less tactical and rather philosophical: Alexander-Arnold was supposed to stay.
Fans thought winning the Premier League would be enough to convince the youngster to remain with the club. Liverpool cannot be compared to any of the “oil clubs”, where loyalty is rare.
If anything, Liverpool has felt like a family to many fans, which explains the widespread support for the club across the British Isles. He was part of the squad that dethroned Manchester City and possibly claim the Champions League. There is no doubt that he was one of the most important players of the squad, despite the presence of Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
Trent Alexander Arnold vs Crystal Palace
45 minutes played pic.twitter.com/OOAiKKLVOD
— 🫵🏽 (@idoxvi) May 25, 2025
Instead of staying and fighting for a legendary UCL title at Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold decided to leave and chase Madrid. This was seen as a betrayal by many Scousers, leading to the debate whether Trent should be given a glorious farewell or booed off the pitch.
It deeply divided the community; for the players, there is no doubt that they think he is a brilliant lad, whose success grants him the choice of staying or leaving. And, despite the boos, it is likely that most fans remain grateful for his spell at Liverpool, from the academy to the Champions League.
Madrid’s Statement Signing
As for Madrid and Florentino Pérez, a statement was needed after a disastrous trophyless season. The team lacked creativity throughout the season, which is where Alexander-Arnold comes in.
Madrid already demonstrated that serious business would start early this season, with the signings of Dean Huijsen and Álvaro Carreras. The defense is where the team’s short-comings have been the most obvious, which is why Pérez is looking to make a statement by hiring superstars in these positions.
Looking Ahead: Integration and Expectations
Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, it would be surprising to see Trent Alexander-Arnold become a failure. Alonso boosted the career of Frimpong at Liverpool, eventually turning him into a key piece of his title-winning team in the 2023/24 season. This is not to say that the two players are similar, but it may give a decent idea as to what the offensive role of Trent Alexander-Arnold would look like.
🤳 ¡El primer mensaje de @XabiAlonso como nuestro nuevo entrenador!
🆕 #WelcomeXabi pic.twitter.com/Q4d4o6RmhR— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) May 26, 2025
Trent-Alexander Arnold is also likely to adapt fast thanks to regular faces he already knows, such as Jude Bellingham. Both players have played together in the English National Team. His signing also marks the end of the Carvajal era, who was one of the last members of the ‘old guard’, with Luka Modrić also announcing his departure this season.
