Mohamed Salah paid a heartfelt tribute to Trent Alexander-Arnold after the Liverpool star confirmed he will leave at the end of the season.
Alexander-Arnold told fans it was the ‘hardest decision of his life’ to leave but that he yearned to ‘push himself professionally and personally’.
It brought clarity to a long-running saga over his expiring contract and all signs point to him joining Real Madrid and linking up with his close friend Jude Bellingham.
He received a mixed reaction from Reds fans, with many expressing their gratitude for 20 years of service while others cast him as a traitor for leaving on a free.
Alexander-Arnold leaves with eight trophies to his name and as arguably the best right-back in world football, with the goal of winning the Ballon d’Or.
And Salah left no doubt as to his feelings, writing on X: ‘It’s been a pleasure sharing a special friendship with you and playing alongside you.
Mohamed Salah shared a moving tribute to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is leaving Liverpool
He said he has enjoyed a ‘special friendship’ with his long-time Liverpool team-mate
Alexander-Arnold has announced his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season – likely for Real Madrid
‘I wish you the best and I am sure we will meet again.’
The forward shared a compilation of photos of them playing and celebrating together down the years.
Liverpool fans will be hoping his forecast that they will meet again doesn’t occur in the form of any defeat to Real Madrid, who have a history of snatching players from them.
Champions League final defeats in 2018 and 2022 have only increased the resentment towards the Spanish giants.
In a statement on social media, Alexander-Arnold wrote: ‘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.
The full-back will leave on a free transfer after failing to agree a new contract with the Reds
Alexander-Arnold may link-up with England team-mate Jude Bellingham (right) at Real Madrid
‘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’.
Meanwhile, in a club statement on their website, Liverpool wrote: ‘The 26-year-old will bring his two-decade-long association with the Reds to an end having made the decision to depart Anfield once his deal ceases on June 30, 2025.
‘Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success.’
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It puts to an end the long-running saga that has dominated debates this season with the 26-year-old not discussing his future out of respect to Liverpool as he did not want it to be played out in public.
Mail Sport was the first English newspaper to report that Real Madrid were confident of securing Alexander-Arnold way back in December – and not much has changed along the way.
It is understood that the contract is not officially signed yet but will be soon, with the England international set to join his good pal and Three Lions team-mate Jude Bellingham in the Spanish capital.
Fans have received Alexander-Arnold with warmth despite all the noise about his future this season but it will be intriguing to see how Anfield reacts on Sunday when Liverpool host Arsenal in what will be his penultimate home game.
