Arne Slot has spoken for the first time since Trent Alexander-Arnold announced he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.
On Monday morning, Alexander-Arnold confirmed his decision to leave the Reds- having spent 20 years at the club – on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The England international is expected to complete a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, who he has been continuously linked with amid his contract disputes.
Mail Sport was the first English newspaper to report that Madrid were confident of securing Alexander-Arnold back in December – and not much has changed along the way.
And, speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday, Slot was quizzed on the defender’s departure.
‘I think like everybody who likes Liverpool and who is a fan of Liverpool, we are disappointed for him leaving because not only is a good human being leaving the club but a very very good full back is leaving us as well,’ he said.
Arne Slot has broken his silence on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool exit this summer
‘But I also worked at clubs like AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord where every season multiple very good players have left the club so I’m a bit more used to players leaving the club maybe.
‘And by the way, the experience I have – and this club as well – that if a very good player is leaving, the next very good player will step up and that’s probably what will happen now.’
In a statement on social media confirming his exit, Alexander-Arnold had written : ‘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. This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.
‘I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No. 20.
‘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.
‘I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club, and I hope you feel like I’ve given back to you during my time here. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody – my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff and our incredible supporters – for the last 20 years.
‘I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never, ever take for granted the special moments I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all. My love for this club will never die.’
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