TAA breaks down in tears & kisses badge as he gets emotional send-off from fans

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD broke down in tears in his Liverpool farewell - and received an incredible Anfield send-off

The departing right-back was benched for the Premier League champion's final game of the season at home to Crystal Palace.

He was an unused substitute in Liverpool's 3-2 loss to Brighton and faced BOOS at Anfield after coming off the bench against Arsenal.

Even Jurgen Klopp - who handed Alexander-Arnold his debut - condemned the boo boys.

But in his last game for Liverpool, he came off the bench in place of Conor Bradley and received a warm welcome by fans.

Alexander-Arnold was cheered when he received his winners medal and the boyhood Red kissed the badge in response.

After all, the defender did come through Liverpool's academy - making his debut aged 16 in 2016 under Klopp.

He later became a first-team regular in the German's side, winning the Champions League in 2018.

One year later and Alexander-Arnold helped Liverpool to the league title - their first in 30 years.

In 2021, Alexander-Arnold signed a new four-year Liverpool deal.

And despite talks throughout the season, Liverpool could not manage to convince the player to extend it once more.

An offer which would have made him one of the highest-paid full-backs in the world was said to have been rejected.

Madrid are believed to have made a cut-price £20million bid for the defender in January - but Liverpool rejected it.

Alexander-Arnold, though, had his heart set on the Spanish capital where England team-mate Jude Bellingham has been since his £115m move in 2023.

Finally, on May 5 Liverpool finally confirmed his exit with a blunt statement.

It read: "Trent Alexander-Arnold has informed Liverpool FC of his intention to leave the club this summer upon the expiry of his current contract."

Alexander-Arnold said: “I think first and foremost, I want to say it’s not an easy decision and there’s a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it.

"I’ve been here 20 years now, loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams, achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to here.

 “I think first and foremost, I want to say it’s not an easy decision and there’s a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it.

"I’ve been here 20 years now, loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams, achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to here."

He told fans directly: "There’s a lot I would like to say. The main thing is a massive thank you.

"You guys have been there from the start with me, you guys have supported me, been there.

“I’ve felt the support, the love, everything that you guys have done has never been unnoticed by me, I’ve loved every single minute of it.

"I hope they have felt that has been reciprocated and that I’ve given everything I could to the club.

“I’m just hoping that we’re able to carry on winning games, the noise [around my decision] doesn’t take away from the fact of what we’ve achieved this season.

“It has been an amazing season. It has been amazing to be part of it and I just hope that everyone is able to maybe not dwell on this news for too long and be able to celebrate what the rest of the lads have done.”

Liverpool legend and former Madrid star Xabi Alonso is expected to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu.

And Reds boss Arne Slot warned: "He's going to leave anyway so why not, it might be the first gift I can give Xabi Alonso.

"I wasn't completely happy with every single minute he was on the training ground.

"In my opinion there were certain moments he could do more, to put it mildly.

"He's going to leave anyway so why not, it might be the first gift I can give Xabi Alonso.

"I wasn't completely happy with every single minute he was on the training ground.

"In my opinion there were certain moments he could do more, to put it mildly."

Alexander-Arnold was defended by fuming ex-manager Klopp after being subjected to boos by his own supporters.

Klopp said: "I don't want to tell anybody what they shall think, I don't want to tell you what you have to think.

"But I can tell you what you think is wrong. That's what I can do. Because I'm an old man and I don't waste time hiding my opinion.

"Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the players that made it all happen.

"This boy, 18-years-old, scored a free-kick in Hoffenheim where if he doesn't score that we don't qualify for the Champions League.

"Against Barcelona he did the most cheeky thing in the world and set up the goal for 4-0, a result and a game which will not happen again.

"I don't tell you that you should not be disappointed, you should not be angry. I tell you don't forget.

"This club doesn't forget. We are famous for not forgetting, we don't forget anything. I watched the game where he came on and I heard the booing.

"I switched the telly off because, honestly, I could not have been more disappointed in this moment.

"This is not us. 100 per cent not us. Be angry, don't understand, whatever.

"This boy, I was there everyday, if he didn't give everything I would tell you now. But everyday he gave absolutely everything to this badge.

"Now he decided after 20 years at this club that he wants to go somewhere else.

"Why didn't he sign a new contract?' I hear this from fans, this money discussion: 'He goes without a transfer fee'.

"If somebody should be angry about that it's the owners, but they are not.

"He wears the Liverpool badge in the skin. But now he plays for another club. We decide how we deal with that."

Alexander-Arnold fought tears on the bench against Palace - but could not hold it in at the final whistle.

He peered around Anfield while wearing Liverpool red for the final time and gave his team-mates a farewell hug.

Alexander-Arnold was also cheered by the Kop faithful when his name was called out before collecting his Prem winner's medal.

He tapped and kissed the badge he has worn for 20 years while cheers echoed around Anfield.

And that will be the lasting memory he would have hoped for before stepping out as a Liverpool player for the final time.

Alexander-Arnold admitted he was not sure what reception he was going to get at Anfield - but demanded one more match in red.

He said: "I didn't know what to expect stepping out at Anfield today after what had happened.

"But I wanted to play for the club one more time, I told the manager, and he trusted me.

"The reception I got means so much to me. I have never felt more loved and more cared for than today.

"I hope that one day the fans and supporters of this club are able to recognise the hard work I put in for this team.

"From six to 26, 20 years is a very long time. I have loved every second of it, it has been an honour and a privilege to be a part of this club.

"I'll remember these moments for the rest of my life. This day will go down as the best in my life."