"I would only leave Liverpool for Real Madrid. No one else”

Trent Alexander-Arnold was officially presented as a new Real Madrid player at the club's Ciudad Deportiva. The English full-back was accompanied by Emilio Butragueno, Director of Institutional Relations, during the press conference.

Alexander-Arnold said: “It's very exciting for me, it's a day I've been waiting for for a long time. I'm very proud, it's a dream come true for me. There's a lot of work ahead and I'm eager to get started right away.”

The player said it had long been clear to him that he would only leave Liverpool to join Real Madrid. “I knew for a long time that I would only leave Liverpool for Real Madrid. No one else. It was never a question of: where do I go? It was always do I go to Madrid or not?”.

The English footballer showed great enthusiasm to begin this new stage and to face the challenges that await him at the club. "I've been lucky to play for the biggest team in England and now I'm at the biggest in Spain. Both have won many trophies and dominated their leagues. It's an honour to represent both of them. At both clubs, you're expected to win and perform well; there are many similarities."

He joins former Liverpool legend and new Madrid manager Xabi Alonso after winning a second Premier League title with Arne Slot's Reds.

Alonso won the Champions League with Liverpool as a player in 2005 during a memorable final against AC Milan of which Alexander-Arnold has fond memories. "I grew up a Liverpool fan, being able to see (that game in) Istanbul with the manager now, doing amazing things there, part of an incredible final."

"I have him to thank for my high standards. We haven't been formally introduced, but we'll be able to talk about what he expects from me in the next few days," concluded the former Liverpool player.