Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has praised the club's supporters for their "brilliant" treatment of Trent Alexander-Arnold after the defender received a hero's send-off at Anfield.
The right-back announced his intention to leave his boyhood side following 20 years of service after the Reds were confirmed as Premier League champions last month. With the England international seemingly bound for Real Madrid on a free transfer, his decision to depart garnered a mixed reception from fans.
However, following on from jeers from a section of the Anfield faithful against Arsenal, the 26-year-old was embraced by the Kop with applauds and cheers as he played his final game in red. Introduced as a half-time substitute, Alexander-Arnold played out his last 45 minutes as Liverpool player against Crystal Palace - before the Premier League trophy was presented.
Despite his impending switch to Los Blancos, all was forgiven when the West Derby-born star emerged to collect his winners' medal during the crowning ceremony. There was no doubting the affection he is held in on the Kop too as he lifted the trophy aloft - with the full-back having received rapturous cheers.
This moment of union between Alexander-Arnold and the crowd clearly moved the Reds academy product and he was reduced to tears as he waved a final goodbye to Anfield. Now, Liverpool head coach Slot has reacted to these memorable scenes on the hallowed turf in L4 on a landmark final day of the 2024-25 campaign.
Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Trent Alexander-Arnold bid an emotional farewell to Liverpool fans on Sunday (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League)
Praising supporters for the reception they gave the departing star, he said: "I think the word 'brilliant' and our fans go together. So, how brilliant they were before the Tottenham game, during the Tottenham game and afterwards, I don't think you see many special celebrations as you saw four weeks ago.
"I don't think that you see many of them like we had today. It's no surprise to me at all that they were brilliant again today as they were throughout the whole season, as they were towards Trent. But maybe it also helps what an unbelievable half he played."
Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave his boyhood club this summer (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
He continued: "The passes he played, if you make a highlight of this, probably it's going to take you three, four or five minutes. The ball to Darwin [Nunez] was another level, was next level. He deserved it. I'm very happy for him, for everyone in and around the club that things worked out as they did.
I think everybody could see how difficult he had it after the game, and that tells you how hard it is to leave a club like this. That's all we can try to do: to make it so hard for the players to leave. Many of them stay, now Trent has made the decision to go, unfortunately for us. But it was great for him to have a farewell as he had today.
Liverpool's English defender #66 Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates after winning the Premier League trophy at the end of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 25, 2025. Liverpool equalises 1 - 1 against Crystal Palace. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates after winning the Premier League on his last appearance for Liverpool (Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold himself admitted that he was grateful for the display of affection shown to him from those on the Anfield terraces as he bowed out as a two-time league winner. He said to Sky Sports: "I didn’t know what to expect stepping out at Anfield after what had happened a few weeks ago.
"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.
He added: "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."