'I've never felt so loved' - Trent Alexander-Arnold reflects on ‘best day’ of his life at Liverpool's title celebrations
Published 25/05/2025 at 22:13 GMT+1
Trent Alexander-Arnold received a mixed response from Liverpool fans when he came off the bench in his side's 2-2 draw against Arsenal earlier this month. However, he was applauded onto the pitch in their final game of the season against Crystal Palace before helping his side rescue a point. After the match, he admitted that he did not know what to expect from fans ahead of the clash.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold insisted he did not expect a warm reception when he came off the bench in Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.
The defender was booed by some sections of the Liverpool support when he came off the bench in his side's 2-2 draw against Arsenal earlier this month following the announcement that he would leave the club at the end of the season.
Alexander-Arnold was an unused substitute during the 3-2 defeat against Brighton on Monday but came off the bench to a warm reception before helping The Reds rescue a point against Palace in their final Premier League game of the season.
The England international, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, said the reaction of the Liverpool fans meant everything to him.
"I didn't know what to expect after what happened a few weeks ago, stepping out at Anfield," he told Sky Sports, referencing the frosty reception he received against The Gunners earlier this month.
"I wanted to play for the club one more time.
"I said that to the manager and he trusted me to go in there at half-time.
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"The reaction that I got means everything to me.
"I've played hundreds of games for the club.
"I've never felt so loved and cared for than today.
"It goes down as the best day for me in my life."
The spoils were shared between Premier League champions Liverpool and FA Cup winners Crystal Palace after Ismaila Sarr's strike was cancelled out by Mohamed Salah's 29th league goal of the season.
Alexander-Arnold kissed the Liverpool badge as he stepped up to receive his second Premier League winners' medal.
He has been with the club since joining their academy in 2004, and the 26-year-old hopes that the fans recognise the work he has put in.
"From the bottom of my heart, I hope that one day the fans and supporters of this club will be able to recognise the hard work and everything that I have done for the team," he added.
"There wasn't a day, a minute, when I didn't think about the team.
"From six years old, to 26 years now. 20 years is a very long time.
"I have loved every single minute of it, the ups and downs.
"It has been an honour and a privilege for me to be a part of this club.
"This is all I've ever known.
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"I'll remember these moments for the rest of my life, especially a day like today."
Slot: He deserved to be on the pitch
Arne Slot felt that the Liverpool fans gave Alexander-Arnold the reaction he deserved when he came off the bench to replace Conor Bradley.
"Of course [it was difficult for Alexander-Arnold to leave the club], he is leaving such a great club and he knows that," the Dutchman told Sky Sports.
"It is not only a club he leaves, he has been at this club for 20 years, he knows everyone over here, team-mates, staff members.
"It is normal if you leave a club after a few years to miss it, let alone after 20 years.
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"Again he showed it today, and I thought the fans showed a great reaction towards him.
"The quality he showed again today is why it is such a pity that he is going to leave.
"It was always the plan to give him some playing time, and I thought this was a good moment for him to impact the game for 45 minutes.
"I thought he deserved to be on the pitch for all he has done for me, for his team-mates, for this club.
"He deserved to be on the pitch at Anfield one more time and the reaction of the fans was, as expected, outstanding again."
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