Revealed: Trent Alexander-Arnold rejected 'significant' Liverpool pay rise to stay at boyhood club with Real Madrid free transfer imminent

According to ESPN,despite Liverpool’s efforts to secure his future with a lucrative package that would have placed him among the highest-earning full-backs in the world, Alexander-Arnold made up his mind to leave the Merseyside club. It is believed that the defender has already struck an agreement with Real Madrid and might even move to the Spanish capital before the Club World Cup commences in June.

Liverpool tabled a generous contract proposal, demonstrating their desire to retain Alexander-Arnold. However, the Reds were informed earlier this year that the defender had no plans to extend his deal, which is set to expire at the end of the season. The club ultimately accepted his position and began preparing for his departure. Last month, Alexander-Arnold personally notified Slot of his intention to leave, closing the chapter on one of the club’s most successful youth-to-first-team journeys in recent history.

Replacing a full-back with Alexander-Arnold’s unique skillset - capable of operating both as a playmaker and a defender - will be no easy task. It has been suggested that Conor Bradley is being viewed as a direct replacement of the 26-year-old, whereas Fulham star Antonee Robinson is also being monitored as a potential summer addition, although he is a left-back.

A product of the club’s academy, Alexander-Arnold played an instrumental role in the Reds’ recent trophy haul, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Club World Cup. Now, with just three games potentially left in a Liverpool shirt, the countdown to his farewell has begun. The Merseyside club face Arsenal at Anfield this Sunday, and that will be followed by encounters against Brighton and Crystal Palace.