Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has said he is “disappointed” that defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has decided to leave the club this summer but has backed the Reds to adapt following his departure.
Alexander-Arnold, who is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer, announced his decision to leave Liverpool in a statement on Monday.
Sources told ESPN in March that Madrid are “very optimistic” about signing the England international although an agreement has not been finalised.
Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool’s academy at the age of six and has gone on to make more than 350 appearances for the club, winning eight major honours.
Sources have told ESPN that the defender rejected a pay deal at Anfield that would have made him one of the best-paid fullbacks in world football.
“Like everybody who likes Liverpool we are disappointed for him leaving because not only a good human being is leaving but a very good full-back is leaving us as well,” Slot said in a news conference on Friday.
“I also worked at clubs like AZ and Feyenoord when good players left, so I am a bit more used to it. The experience I have and this club as well, if a good player leaves, the next good player steps up and that is what will happen again.”
