The final day of Liverpool’s season has arrived as the Reds prepare for a Sunday full of celebration.
After a long wait, Arne Slot and his players will finally lift the Premier League trophy at a raucous Anfield.
It promises to be a special occasion, as Virgil van Dijk becomes the first ever Dutch captain to win the English top division.
The only thing that has the potential to stick a pin in the Liverpool party is the presence of departing right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Alexander-Arnold has created all the headlines after announcing his intention to leave the Reds on a free transfer this summer.
But as debate rages over the treatment he can expect on Sunday, Van Dijk issued a final goodbye to Alexander-Arnold at the Liverpool training ground on Saturday.
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Virgil van Dijk says goodbye to Trent Alexander-Arnold
If there is any trepidation from Liverpool fans about Sunday’s celebrations, it is all to do with Alexander-Arnold.
It was a strange atmosphere at Anfield when the Liverpool academy graduate was roundly booed against Arsenal and anything similar could really dampen the mood.
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From the player’s point of view, though, they are all sorry to see their teammate leave. And as they gathered for the final session of the season on Saturday, Van Dijk gave a captain’s speech to the exiting Scouser.
“Alright Trent, we all knew that this day was coming of course,” began the Dutchman. “I speak for everyone else here and I’d like to thank you for everything you’ve done obviously in your time at Liverpool, the success that we had, the good moments together on and off the pitch and we’re all definitely going to miss you.”
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“You’re an outstanding player and a very good human being,” Van Dijk added.
“We wish you well and listen, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you’ve done here and all the best. We have a little something for you.”
The 33-year-old then presented Alexander-Arnold with a framed Liverpool No. 66 shirt, presumably signed by the full squad.
How did Alexander-Arnold respond?
While Liverpool fans may not have wanted to hear Van Dijk’s words for Alexander-Arnold, it was inevitably going to happen.
The 26-year-old is popular with his teammates as vice captain and, as his centre-back says, will be missed around the place.
As for Alexander-Arnold himself, he then stepped up and delivered a thank you for Van Dijk and the rest of the players.
It was nothing new from the full-back, and largely mirrored his rather robotic goodbye announcement.
It remains to be seen what kind of reception Alexander-Arnold is afforded on Sunday, but what is certain is that we will all be better off for having this saga finally behind us.