ANFIELD — A cohort of Crystal Palace players got to him first, disturbing what looked like a private communion with a pitch he had graced for nine seasons. And then his captain Virgil van Dijk enveloped him in a loving embrace.
This is what Trent Alexander-Arnold really meant to this team. For the players, he will always be one of their own, Liverpool through and through, no matter his leaving for a foreign field.
Alexander-Arnold was given 45 minutes here, a second half in which he released one daisy cutter out of defence that sent Liverpool away, just as he had so many times during a decade of unstinting service.
If some puerile supporters choose to set his contribution aside, clinging to their adolescent vision of the world, so be it, but that is not a sentiment shared by the grown-ups, including the majority at Anfield on this day of days.
An outpouring of emotion for Trent Alexander-Arnold and his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/oWekO1C2Q8
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 25, 2025
Also in the appreciative throng were the returning Jurgen Klopp, American co-owner John Henry and Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, all on hand to witness the real business of the day, the presentation of the Premier League trophy. Thus did this afternoon begin for Liverpool at the sound of the final whistle.
Yes, Mohamed Salah scored for the umpteenth (34th) time to deny Palace a second champagne weekend, and tie a ribbon around the golden boot that was already his. But that was mere detail. No-one cared about the result. This was all about the 20th, a celebration of a title secured a month ago.
Arne Slot led them out, stepping first onto the podium. One by one the players followed, each receiving the appreciation of the crowd.
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Attention turned to the three players at the back of the line, the three superstars of this team, Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Van Dijk.
This was the moment that Alexander-Arnold was perhaps dreading but will take with him to Madrid, the loudest cheer of the afternoon and the love of Anfield. He lifted the medal to his lips and raised a fist to salute another great chapter in his career and the history of the club.
That moment of acclaim released Alexander-Arnold from the strange torment of rejection suffered when the confirmation of the move to Madrid came.
During the post-ceremony party it seemed he might never let go when he held the trophy aloft in front of the Kop. And when the crowd serenaded the team with a chorus of You’ll Never Walk Alone, it felt like at least a part of it was meant for him alone, wishing him safe passage.
Liverpool players were serenaded by the Kop (Reuters)Whatever he makes of life in Madrid it is unlikely to mean more than this. It is for those left behind to go again, and watching Conor Bradley in the first half, it is clear Liverpool already have a replacement capable of taking the story on.
And should Florian Wirtz arrive from Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool will have a new hero on whom to bestow their passion.
Slot’s achievement in his first year at Anfield is the more remarkable for the lack of investment in the squad prior to his arrival. The hard work was done by his predecessor, Klopp, adding the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in one window. After that it was a matter of good husbandry and refinement.
The pursuit of Wirtz is the sensible response to this triumph, augmenting by increments the core of a team still getting better. The retention on new deals of Van Dijk and Salah represents another sensible investment to guarantee a seamless start to the title defence.
Keeping that pair free of injury and firing will be central to Liverpool’s prospects next term, but with so many of their rivals with much ground to make up, they will start justifiable favourites in August.
As the party drew to a close, Alexander-Arnold made a point of touching the badge, completing the lap of honour beneath the directors box before disappearing in the media huddle to tell his story one last time.
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