'All I've ever known': Trent Alexander-Arnold bids emotional farewell to Anfield after lifting Premier League | OneFootball

The full-back hopes fans will remember him well as he chases a new challenge

Trent Alexander-Arnold worried about how we would be received by fans ahead of his final Anfield appearance, saying the club means ‘everything’ to him.

The England international’s 20-year Liverpool career came to an end on Sunday as the Reds drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace. He came on at half-time to enthusiastic applause and came close to bagging an assist with a pinpoint deep through-ball to Darwin Nunez, whose shot was smothered by Dean Henderson.

Alexander-Arnold will become a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the season, but the decision not to extend his deal was not well received by supporters, who booed him in his first appearance after the announcement.

The star full-back leaves a champion, though, and shared an emotional moment with supporters as he lifted the Premier League in front of the Kop and embraced his family on the Anfield turf. He later said that he had loved every minute of his stay at the club.

“I didnt know what to expect stepping out at Anfield today after what had happened a few weeks ago,” he said, referencing the earlier boos as he spoke to Sky Sports. “I wanted to play for the club one more time. I said that to the manager, and he trusted me to go in at half time.”

He was grateful to have been well received, though: “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 so cared for than today.

“From the bottom of my heart, I hope that one day the fans and supporters of this club will be able to recognise the hard work and everything I have done for the team.

“There wasn't a day, wasn't a minute, wasn't a second I didn't think about the team from six years old to 26. 20 years is a very, very long time, but I’ve loved every 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 has been an honour and a privilege to be a part of the squad.”

He continued, saying it had not yet sunk in that he would be leaving the club this summer. Reports have tipped him to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, though his future is yet to be confirmed.

“It’s all I’ve ever known. At times, you catch yourself thinking you’ll be back next season, but that's not the case. I’ll 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 special achievement for the club.”