'Such a pity': Arne Slot thanks Trent Alexander-Arnold for his contributions to title-winning campaign | OneFootball

Slot may struggle to replace the full-back, who has been a fixture in the first team since graduating from the academy

Arne Slot said it is ‘a pity’ that Trent Alexander-Arnold chose to leave Liverpool, but was pleased that he received such a warm reception at Anfield on the final day of the season.

After being made to wait four long weeks after confirming their Premier League triumph, the Reds finally got their hands on the trophy on Sunday after they drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace, with Mohamed Salah scoring his 29th goal of the season to equalise late on.

But the centre of attention was Alexander-Arnold, who will leave the club this summer as a free agent, 20 years after joining the academy. He was introduced at half-time, having fallen behind Conor Bradley in the pecking order of late, and produced a strong performance as he made his Liverpool bow.

Liverpool fans did not initially respond well to the announcement that Alexander-Arnold would move on, but warmly welcomed him onto the pitch on Sunday. Slot said his star full-back, reportedly set to join Real Madrid, had earned his moment in the limelight.

“I think he deserved to be on the pitch for all he’s done for me and his teammates,” Slot said at full time. “He deserved to be on the pitch one more time at Anfield, and the reaction of the fans was, as expected, fantastic.

“It was always the plan to give him some playing time.”

Alexander-Arnold was emotional as the full-time whistle blew, and shared a moment with his family and teammates amid the celebrations. Slot said it was understandable, given his ties to the club.

Slot continued: “He is leaving such a great club, and he knows, he feels that.

“He leaves the club after 20 years. He knows everyone here, teammates, staff members.

“It is normal if you leave a club after a few years, you are probably going to miss it, let alone after 10 years, let alone if you leave Liverpool.”

While fans will rue the loss of an academy graduate turned first-team regular, Slot faces the unenviable task of replacing one of the world’s best attacking full-backs.

“The quality he showed today again is why it is such a pity he is going to leave,” he said.

He also hinted that a replacement had already been identified, going on to say that Liverpool would chase some long-established transfer targets this summer. They are already reported to be close to deals for the Bayer Leverkusen pair of Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz.