Liverpool manager Arne Slot has opened up about his pre-season discussions with Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of the player’s final match at Anfield.
After much speculation, Alexander-Arnold recently confirmed that he will leave Liverpool on a free transfer when his contract expires. Unlike teammates Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who extended their deals, Alexander-Arnold opted not to renew and is expected to join Real Madrid, where he’ll reunite with England teammate Jude Bellingham.
The decision hasn’t gone down well with fans—many booed him when he came off the bench against Arsenal on May 11. He remained an unused substitute in the Brighton game, and Slot has not confirmed if he’ll feature in the upcoming Crystal Palace match, when Liverpool will celebrate their 20th league title.
Speaking at a press conference, Slot revealed he’s had numerous private conversations with Alexander-Arnold, particularly in his office, both at the start of pre-season and now in the final stages of the campaign. He emphasized that these chats were different from those with other players, as they went beyond football and touched on personal matters.
Slot also shared a candid detail that could benefit incoming Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, suggesting it was like giving him a “gift.” He admitted to early training ground concerns with Alexander-Arnold’s commitment and discussed the player’s defensive performance—an aspect often criticized by fans and pundits.
“He’s actually a better defender than many believe,” Slot said. “But he doesn’t always show it. That’s something we discussed—when he’s fully focused, few can get past him.”
Despite the controversy surrounding his exit, Alexander-Arnold remains one of the nominees for Liverpool’s Player of the Year.