It appears as though the day dreaded by Liverpool fans has come, with widespred reports on Tuesday that Trent Alexander-Arnold is on the verge of completing his free transfer to Real Madrid.
The Liverpool academy product has been running down the final year of his contract this season, along with fellow stalwarts Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah.
The thought of losing all three for free in one summer will be unthinkable to Liverpool fans but it appears the first of the three to fall is soon to be confirmed.
Early on Tuesday, talkSPORT reported that Trent Alexander-Arnold's deal to join Real Madrid as a free agent this summer was done. Further reports from the likes of David Ornstein poured cold water on any notion that the deal is fully done but that it is close.
The latest reports, from Miguel Delaney of the UK Independent, suggest that the deal has in effect been agreed, with only clauses surrounding taxation of foreign players in Spain to navigate (clauses which caused delays for both Gareth Bale and Kylian Mbappé's arrivals at the Bernabeu).
It has been a prolonged saga that now looks likely to end with Trent leaving the club.
The latest reports on Tuesday have got Liverpool fans thinking back to a pointed celebration from Alexander-Arnold during the 5-0 win at West Ham earlier this season - and questioniong whether it was actually pointed at them.
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Liverpool fans read into Trent Alexander-Arnold gesture with Real Madrid
In late December, rumours were intensifying linking Trent Alexander-Arnold with a massive free agent move to Real Madrid.
When the right-back scored in Liverpool's demolition of West Ham at the London Stadium, his celebration appeared to be pointed at the media linking him with the Bernabeu.
That was the line widely accepted by Liverpool fans and fans of other clubs at the time: the gesture had been aimed at the media, creating supposedly false links to the Spanish capital.
Trent Alexander-Arnold celebration today for Liverpool against West Ham with deflected goal 👂🤏. Aimed at media, particularly Spanish, with many false reports on his future. Trent remains in talks with LFC and gives them the priority despite Madrids confidence. Talks ongoing. pic.twitter.com/5JlqkRS2Mf
— TheInsider (@FootbalInsidr) December 29, 2024
With concrete reports emerging that a deal is imminent, the gesture from Trent has taken on a new meaning to Liverpool fans.
Many of the club's fanbase took to Twitter on Tuesday after news broke of an imminent announcement, with some fans going as far as suggesting the "shush" gesture had been pointed at the fans themselves.
how weird does this celebration seem now? pic.twitter.com/gicjlmNdS7
— Jay Llewellyn (@JayLleweIIyn) March 25, 2025
Who’s to blame?
I’m sure we’ll see both sides pointing fingers at each other. I do however think Trent has handled the situation poorly.
Avoided interviews all season, THAT performance against Man United at Anfield and the celebration he did after scoring at West Ham. https://t.co/dHvDuukV4j
— Slotoholic (@Slotoholic) March 25, 2025
The way Trent chose to go about this thing stinks. Honestly, this is what pisses me off. That celebration at West Ham, staying silent the whole time which he comically claimed it was out of respect for the club. Other than that, I am sad we are losing a generation talent
— R🅰️ndy 🅱️obandy (@nous_anarchy) March 25, 2025
Trent really shushed the liverpool fans after that west ham goal...
— Fred 🏴 (@Bubblesm8te) March 25, 2025
After nine years in a Liverpool jersey, it certainly seems set to be an acrimonious departure for Trent Alexander-Arnold, should the reports on Tuesday prove to be true.
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