Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season (Pictures: Getty/TikTok)
Liverpool dedicated an end-of-season summer party to Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of his departure from Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold confirmed earlier this month that he was leaving the Premier League champions at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
The England star has been at Anfield since he was six and made over 350 appearances for his boyhood club.
Alexander-Arnold helped Liverpool win two Premier League titles and the Champions League but his decision to leave the club has not gone down well with many fans.
The 26-year-old, who looks set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, was booed by his own supporters during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend.
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While much of the fanbase has reacted angrily to Alexander-Arnold’s decision, those inside Liverpool – including manager Arne Slot – have been more understanding.
The club appear to have held a ‘leaving party’ for Alexander-Arnold on Saturday ahead of the final day of the season next weekend.
Nevada Linton uploaded a video to TikTok channel which the caption: ‘R Trent’s leaving party! What a day and experience. Thank you. Go on to live your dreams.’
The event, which appears to have taken place on the grounds of Liverpool’s training complex in Kirby, was covered with branding which read: ‘Welcome to Summer of 66’ in reference to Alexander-Arnold’s shirt number.
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luiz Diaz were among the players pictured at the event.
Mohamed Salah at the event (Picture: TikTok)
Alexander-Arnold with family (Picture: TikTok)
Guests were able to enjoy food vendors and plenty of activities, including crazy golf and kids’ games.
Liverpool were desperately trying to tie down Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Van Dijk to new deals throughout their title-winning season.
Salah and Van Dijk have put pen to paper on contract extensions but Alexander-Arnold decided to leave amid interest from Real Madrid.
Liverpool FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Alexander-Arnold was booed by some fans at Anfield (Picture: Getty)
‘After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season,’ he said. ‘This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.
‘This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years. From the academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever.
‘I will forever be in debt to you all. But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.’
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A number of Liverpool players have criticised the decision from some fans to jeer Alexander-Arnold during the recent match against Arsenal.
Alexander-Arnold will hope for a different reception on Monday night when Liverpool face Brighton and in their Premier League finale against Crystal Palace at Anfield.
‘I think somehow the fans were being harsh with him,’ Salah told Sky Sports.
‘I think he didn’t deserve it at the time, he deserved the fans to treat him the best way possible because he gave it all to the fans.
‘We shouldn’t act this way with anyone who always appreciates the people, who came here even for six months.
‘Imagine someone who gives you his all for 20 years. It’s shouldn’t be like this. I hope that will change next game, against Brighton or in the last game of the season, because he deserves the farewell.’
Anfield captain Van Dijk added: ‘We want to win two more games and after the final whistle, including him [Alexander-Arnold], lift the trophy up and celebrate like we have never done before.
When asked whether Alexander-Arnold’s exit could overshadow the celebrations, Van Dijk said: ‘I don’t think so. It shouldn’t. There’s a lot more players that also deserve an amazing day.’
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