Departing Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold has posted a two-word message on social media after playing his final game for the club. He will be joining Real Madrid as a free agent with his contract expiring this summer.
Taking to Instagram and X, Alexander-Arnold posted a series of pictures of himself on the pitch at Anfield after Virgil van Dijk lifted the Premier League trophy. It was captioned: "Fairytale ending."
Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot both wanted Alexander-Arnold to get a pleasant final appearance. When he came on at half-time against Crystal Palace, he was warmly applauded — having been booed in his last game against Arsenal.
"I didn’t know what to expect stepping out at Anfield after what had happened a few weeks ago," Alexander-Arnold said on the pitch at Anfield on Sunday. "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.
"Hand on my heart, I hope one day the fans will be able to recognize the hard work and everything I have done for the team. There wasn’t a day, minute or 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 honor and a privilege for me to be part of this club."
In his post-match press conference, Slot was asked about the reception that Alexander-Arnold got. "I think the word 'brilliant' and our fans go together," he said.
"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.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool celebrates with the Premier League trophy
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool celebrates with the Premier League trophy (Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wir)
"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.
"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."