Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool at the end of the season | OneFootball

Trent Alexander-Arnold has decided to leave Liverpool at the end of the season when his contract at Anfield finishes.

The right-back, who is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, came to the conclusion he wants a new challenge after two decades with his hometown club.

Alexander-Arnold had been in discussions with Liverpool about a new deal but whereas Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah signed contract extensions to remain at Anfield, he has chosen not to.

The 26-year-old feels he wants to test himself in a different environment after winning everything at Liverpool, he said in a video message published on Monday explaining his decision.

While Liverpool offered a contract that would have made Alexander-Arnold one if the best-paid full-backs in world football, money was not a factor for him.

Sporting director Richard Hughes had made talks with Alexander-Arnold a priority and first made contact before taking charge. However, he was unable to strike a deal and the England international informed manager Arne Slot of his decision after a final meeting in the spring.

Alexander-Arnold, who made his debut and became vice-captain under Jurgen Klopp, enjoyed working for Slot and held the Dutchman in high esteem, but has opted to move on.

Real made an offer for Alexander-Arnold just before the January transfer window opened, which Liverpool rejected.

No deal with the 15-time champions of Europe has been formalised and he is yet to put pen to paper, but it is likely he will be at the Bernabeu next season.

Alexander-Arnold clinched his second Premier League title with Liverpool last week to add to the Champions League, Club World Cup, FA Cup and two Carabao Cups.

He made his first-team bow in 2016 and has gone on to play 352 games, scoring 23 goals, the most recent of them at Leicester two weeks ago.