Trent Alexander-Arnold says the Liverpool fans have been an “incredible help” as he started a new chapter in his career at Real Madrid today – and made an immediate impression by speaking fluent Spanish at his presentation.
The England right-back was jeered on several occasions after announcing he would depart Anfield when his contract expired at the end of last season, although Madrid did end up paying a £10million fee to sign him prior to the Club World Cup.
It was a sour ending to what had been a trophy-filled nine years at Liverpool and Reds fans are unlikely to have been impressed by Alexander-Arnold’s new linguistic skills.
Trent Alexander-Arnold speaking in fluent Spanish at his Real Madrid unveiling 🇪🇸pic.twitter.com/Aa9NetnIvd
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) June 12, 2025
Trent has been learning Spanish for a “few months”
After admitting he had been learning Spanish for a “few months”, the 26-year-old said he was confident he had handled his exit from Merseyside in the right way.
He said: “Everything I achieved with Liverpool has been incredible, it will never be forgotten. But I have come out in a good way, I am happy for the way I have done it. I couldn’t say anything bad about the fans. Everyone has been incredible, they have supported me a lot. It has been an incredible help.
“The owners have thanked me for everything I have done for the club and that I am always welcome. That they said all that is incredible. Now being here is very exciting for me. It’s incredible and something that not many players can experience.”
Alexander-Arnold, who will wear the number 12 shirt, admitted it was a wrench to leave Liverpool and claims the only club he would have considered quitting Anfield for was Madrid.
“I always knew, I have known for a long time that if I was to ever leave Liverpool, it would be for Real Madrid,” he added.
“And then it gets to a point where you have to make a decision to go or stay. It wasn’t easy, not going to say it was, I’d been there so long and was a part of it but eventually you have to make a decision and I have made the right one in my mind and I am excited.”
🤍 #WelcomeTrent 🤍 pic.twitter.com/LY9pXJ2ShT
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 12, 2025
Alexander-Arnold to work with “hero” Alonso
Alexander-Arnold will now get the chance to work under Xabi Alonso, who will lead Madrid for the first time at the Club World Cup in the United States, with the competition getting underway this weekend.
As a former Liverpool player, Alonso is regarded as a hero by Alexander-Arnold, who said: “I grew up a Liverpool fan, watching Istanbul [Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League win over AC Milan] with the manager doing incredible things in that final.
“We spoke a bit and I told him he was a big idol of mine so it’s a dream come true.
“He impacted my game a lot and influenced me to train harder and have a great hunger to be able to do that and set standards.
“We haven’t formally met yet, we will in the next few weeks. [We will discuss] how it looks, what he expects from me. It’s not just me who is new here, he is and he has to get his ideas across.
“It might take some time but he has shown how amazing he is. His knowledge is there in abundance and I’ll be a sponge around him.”
Bellingham didn’t have to sell him Madrid dream
Another familiar face at Madrid for Alexander-Arnold is friend and England colleague Jude Bellingham.
Despite their close bond, Alexander-Arnold denied talk that the former Borussia Dortmund man had influenced his decision to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
“We spoke about Real Madrid,” he said. “It wasn’t exactly what people thought, it was a lot about Liverpool and Real Madrid and these are conversations you have as players and friends. You want to know what it is like.
“Everyone asks him questions in the national team about Madrid. To be honest, the club speaks for itself, it’s a huge opportunity for me.”
