'We were disappointed' - Liverpool chairman opens up on pain of Trent Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid move and concedes Los Blancos got incredible deal for defender

Alexander-Arnold signed a deal with Real Madrid in June, with the club eventually paying a £10m fee to recruit him in time for the Club World Cup. Werner was glowing in his praise of the Liverpool academy graduate and admitted he will be missed.

Werner told The Liverpool Echo: "We do respect the fact that Trent has moved on. He showed me a picture of when he was seven years old, when he was a young kid at the academy, and I have a lot of fondness for all that he has done. It is time for him to move and time for us to replace him. I'll never forget that pass he made, the corner he took, for the fourth goal against Barcelona. That was just a work of genius and as a football fan, watching some of his assists, the way he would pass the ball 30-plus yards to a specific point and create a goal was just...no wonder Real Madrid are delighted!"

Alexander-Arnold has made three appearances for his new club at the Club World Cup, growing in prominence with each match he has played. He admits he has been impressed by the talent in the squad, claiming he is relieved to only be facing the likes of Vinicius Junior in training.

Alexander-Arnold is set to be involved when Real take on Juventus in the round of 16 on Tuesday, with the winner playing either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey in the quarter-finals.