Trent Alexander-Arnold's injury decision speaks volumes as Liverpool star announces exit

Trent Alexander-Arnold fought through the pain barrier to play for this season, despite knowing he would be leaving in the summer. announced on Monday morning that when his contract expires, sparking on Merseyside.

The 26-year-old turned down the chance to sign a new deal at Liverpool, , in order to pursue a new challenge. Although he is yet to officially announce it, Alexander-Arnold is poised to join on a free transfer once his deal expires on June 30.

He has been accused by some fans of disloyalty for leaving the club he supports, but of anything other than 100 per cent commitment after Alexander-Arnold returned from injury to score the winner at last month.

"It would be ridiculous if someone argues his commitment for this club," Slot said. “The work rate he puts in. No one can argue his commitment to this club but the headlines should be his great goal and not his contract."

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That opinion has now been backed up by evidence, with reporting that Alexander-Arnold used painkilling injections to make himself available for the Reds earlier in the campaign. The right-back suffered a side strain while playing for England against Finland in October but decided to push through, rather than take time out to recover.

Alexander-Arnold also worked very hard behind the scenes to return to the pitch and score that winner at Leicester, having injured his ankle in the match against Paris Saint-Germain in March. His words to the club website after confirming his exit showed just how much he cares about the club he has been at for 20 years.

Asked if he understood the fans' disappointment at his decision, he replied: "Yes, 100 per cent. I’ve been a fan of this club my whole life, it has given me the opportunity to go and do everything I’ve done, to achieve everything. So, I understand that. Growing up, seeing players leave that I’ve loved watching and have helped the team win trophies, you feel a connection to the players that you watch, especially when they bring success to the club as well.

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"So, I completely understand the feelings that go with that and I’ve felt it myself so I completely understand that the news will disappoint a lot of people, will anger people, it will make them upset. Obviously that went into the decision as well – it’s something you don’t want to do, you don’t want to ever have these moments where you feel like you’re letting a lot of people down, you’re disappointing a lot of people.

"But I’ve had to make a decision for me, it’s as simple as that. It’s a difficult one, it’s one that has played on my mind for a long time but being able now to get it off my chest will feel like a weight is lifted. And I think it’s important for the fans to know where I stand and know what the truth is."

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