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By BEN WILLCOCKS Published: 00: 41 AEST, 12 May 2025 | Updated: 01: 12 AEST, 12 May 2025 31 View comments Trent Alexander-Arnold has been named on the bench for Liverpool's clash against Arsenal, just days after the defender confirmed he would be leaving Anfield at the end of the season. Conor Bradley has been selected at right-back in his place. The Reds, who celebrated winning the Premier League with seven games to spare last month, are preparing for life without Alexander-Arnold after he announced his plan to pursue a new challenge away from Anfield. The England international will join Real Madrid on a free transfer after emerging through Liverpool's youth ranks to become one of the club's most important players under Jurgen Klopp and Slot. In a statement on social media, Alexander-Arnold wrote on May 5: 'After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season. This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life. 'I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No. 20. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been named on the bench for Liverpool 's clash against Arsenal Arne Slot has made a decision on the full-back after he confirmed he would be leaving the club Conor Bradley (right) has been picked to start in Alexander-Arnold's place against the Gunners 'This club has been my whole life – my whole world - for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all. 'But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally. 'I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club, and I hope you feel like I’ve given back to you during my time here. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody – my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff and our incredible supporters - for the last 20 years. 'I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never, ever take for granted the special moments I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all. My love for this club will never die'. Alexander-Arnold's exit has been widely criticised by large groups of Liverpool supporters, who feel let down by the defender's decision to run his contract down and leave on a free transfer. Slot's team selection against Arsenal, which sees both Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk starting after they agreed to new deals at Anfield, shows that the Dutchman is already looking towards next season with the inclusion of Bradley. The Northern Irishman, 21, has impressed as a deputy to Alexander-Arnold so far in his Liverpool career and is poised to succeed the England international in the role next campaign. Liverpool are also expected to target a new full-back in the summer transfer window, so Sunday's clash with Arsenal presents a perfect opportunity for Bradley to show Slot what he can do. Slot's team selection suggests he is starting to prepare for life without the star right-back Liverpool are still celebrating their second Premier League title following a sensational season Following Alexander-Arnold's announcement last week, Liverpool wrote: 'The 26-year-old will bring his two-decade-long association with the Reds to an end having made the decision to depart Anfield once his deal ceases on June 30, 2025. 'Alexander-Arnold will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success. ' It puts to an end the long-running saga that has dominated debates this season with the 26-year-old not discussing his future out of respect to Liverpool as he did not want it to be played out in public. Mail Sport was the first English newspaper to report that Real Madrid were confident of securing Alexander-Arnold way back in December – and not much has changed along the way. By leaving Alexander-Arnold out against Arsenal, who are set to give Liverpool a guard of honour on Sunday, Slot has chosen to prioritise the club's future over giving the Reds superstar a hero's farewell.
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