Trent Alexander-Arnold said his winning goal for Liverpool at Leicester City was a “special moment” but refused to comment on his future amid interest from Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold, a second-half substitute, scored the only goal in Sunday’s game and celebrated by removing his shirt and running across to the corner of the stadium holding the thousands of travelling Liverpool fans.
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The Athletic reported last month that Madrid were working on a deal to sign the 26-year-old, who is Liverpool-born and a graduate of their youth academy, when his contract at Anfield expires this summer.
“I said all season I’m not going to speak on my situation or comment on details but days like today are special,” Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports, the game’s UK broadcaster, afterwards when specifically asked on his future beyond the current season. “Scoring goals, winning games, being close to winning titles. Special moments that will live with me forever.”
Madrid are widely expected to complete the signing of the England international at the end of the season, with the full-back permitted by football’s transfer rules to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club since the start of 2025.
Alexander-Arnold added of his winner against Leicester with 14 minutes of the 90 to go: “Virgil (van Dijk, Liverpool’s captain) told me to soak it in. The away fans are always outstanding. They have pushed us every game into the final minute, and that happened again today. As much as we do it for ourselves and our families, we do it for the fans, too. The least they deserve after spending all that money is to see us give 100 per cent on the pitch. It’s very special.
“We’re so close to winning the league now — one win away, very close. The goal? It was a very special moment.”
Also talking after the match, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said of Alexander-Arnold on Sky Sports: “He’s incredible, if he sets his mind to it. If you play for such a long time for a club there are always moments, but when these moments matter most, he knows how to step up and that’s something only top, top players have.”
When pressed on whether the right-back could sign a new contract and stay with his boyhood team, Slot said “all the attention” should be on his winning goal: “The importance of it and what he has done for this club. All the headlines should be about his goal and not his contract situation.”
Liverpool return to action next Sunday, April 27, at home against Tottenham Hotspur, where they could clinch only their second domestic title of the Premier League era but 20th overall — matching the total of their biggest rivals, Manchester United.
(Top photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
