Arne Slot gives verdict on Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision to leave Liverpool

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has expressed his disappointment following the news that Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave the club at the end of the season.

However, he insisted the team will recover from the setback.

Speaking on Friday ahead of the Reds’ Premier League clash with Arsenal, Slot addressed the situation for the first time since Alexander-Arnold confirmed his decision earlier this week.

The 26-year-old revealed on Monday that he would depart his boyhood club at the end of the current campaign, a decision that had been anticipated for several months.

“I think, like everybody who likes Liverpool, we are disappointed for him leaving,” Slot said. “A good human is leaving the club and good full-back.

“I also worked at clubs where multiple good players have left the club so I am maybe more used to it. If a good player is leaving, the next player is going to step up.”

Slot acknowledged that it’s widely known where Alexander-Arnold is likely to end up, although he refrained from commenting on whether Liverpool would allow the player to leave his contract early in order to play for Real Madrid in the Club World Cup this June.

Alexander-Arnold is now expected to join Real Madrid

“Do you know where Trent is going? He hasn’t said anything, just that he will leave, so it is impossible to comment if he will play in the Club World Cup,” the Dutchman added.

“You see by my smile, we both know where he is going to!

“People have an opinion, Trent, me or anyone, nothing new. Maybe a bit more negative than he is used to. I am not here to tell the fans how to react.

“The boys had a few days off, so I will wait and see how he feels. I have spoken to him on WhatsApp, but let’s wait and see. I am not here to tell the fans how to react.

“Trent said that us, as a team and club, not to be too distracted by this announcement, so I hope all the energy goes to the players, the fans, and as less as possible to Trent, unless it is positive.”