Liverpool boss stunned Trent Alexander-Arnold before Real Madrid switch - 'Is this a joke?'

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Trent Alexander-Arnold is hitting the headlines overseas with reports that his future may be up in the air once again. It could be the third time that the defender has dealt with a major exit in as many years.

The first came in 2014 when Jurgen Klopp announced his Liverpool exit. Just a year later, the right-back followed in his former manager's footsteps and departed Anfield for pastures new, joining Real Madrid .

At the time of Klopp's announcement, Alexander-Arnold was a key component of the Reds. He shared the shock much of the team felt on the day the German told them of his plans, admitting the squad believed the entire thing was "a joke."

The defender told The Athletic : "It started like a normal day. Then the manager called a meeting at 10:30am, which we had never had before, so everyone was like, 'What's going on?' He came into the changing rooms and told us there was news breaking as he was speaking. So we found out as players at the same time as everyone else but he told us personally.

"He said that this had to be his last season, that he needed a break to spend time with his family. I didn't know what to do. You think, 'Is this a joke?'

"None of us were expecting it. After he left the room, everyone was just sat there thinking, 'Has that just happened?' Then you have to get on with it, going out to train in an hour, doing your job."

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Klopp agreed with Alexander-Arnold's view on the situation as he claimed there weren't "a lot of questions" from the team on his decision. At the time, the ex-Reds boss said: "The players didn't have a lot of questions, I spoke to them all together and then a few after that.

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"We have a really strong bond. Usually when a manager is in a dressing room and talks like that he got sacked. It isn't like that because of the things we achieved so that is why my responsibility is so big.

"We had last year's situation and I think a lot of managers would have got the sack and there was never any intention to do that and my responsibility grows and grows, so when it is not right anymore I have to tell."

Arne Slot came in and took over from Klopp right away, securing the Premier League title at the first time of asking. As fans began to settle with the idea of the German's exit, rumours grew around the right-back's impending move to Real Madrid.

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A year after one legend left Anfield, Alexander-Arnold followed suit by joining the Spanish giants on a six-year deal. This move sparked fierce backlash from fans with many claiming the academy graduate wasn't welcome back.

Alexander-Arnold's Madrid tenure so far has not gone to plan. New boss Alvaro Arbeloa has reportedly told the full-back he can leave Spain in the summer as he is not part of the long-term plans.

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