Andy Robertson has expressed his admiration for Trent Alexander-Arnold following his transfer to Real Madrid. The England international chose not to renew his contract with Liverpool, instead opting to join the La Liga titans in a deal at the beginning of the month.
The right-back is currently on international duty with the Three Lions but is expected to make a quick debut for Real Madrid in this summer's Club World Cup in the United States.
Alexander-Arnold was initially set to depart Liverpool at the end of his contract on a free transfer, but Real Madrid paid to release the defender from his agreement a month early.
Upon witnessing his former team-mate's decision to seek new opportunities, Robertson wished Alexander-Arnold well at what he described as the 'biggest club in the world'.
"He's a fantastic player, a fantastic person as well," the Scotland captain shared with reporters. "We kind of grew with each other in our careers.
"Nobody really probably knew who both of us were when we first started out at Liverpool. He was obviously an academy graduate and I was signing from Hull and there wasn't much noise about my signing and things like that.
"But I think we just grew into the role together and we took it to a pretty high level. They were the best times of our lives, the way we were playing and what we were doing.
Liverpool duo Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold with the Premier League trophy
Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold with the Premier League trophy (Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images))
"He's obviously made a decision for himself to go and experience something new. He's playing with Real Madrid who are one of, if not the, biggest clubs in the world.
"We wish him all the best now the goodbyes are done, he's stopped his tears and things like that. It looks like he's going to go to the Club World Cup and he'll try and hit the ground running quickly and we wish him all the best."
Robertson had previously shared a heartfelt goodbye message to Alexander-Arnold on social media before the full-back's final match as a Liverpool player.
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He penned on Instagram: "My brother, where to even start! It has been an absolute privilege watching you grow from a boy to a man over these last 8 years. You have won it all and created amazing memories along the way.
"I want to thank you for constantly pushing me to new limits and setting the bar so high that I had no choice but to follow. You are going to be a huge miss around the training ground and an even bigger miss on the pitch.
"I hope all the hard work you have put into this club, the moments you have given us and the massive contribution you have made are recognised as they should be..... Wingmen one last time."