Trent Alexander-Arnold briefly shut down speculation over his future with a triumphant goal-scoring return to edge Liverpool past Leicester at The King Power – but his eye-catching celebration then sent Reds fans into a social media frenzy.
The boyhood Liverpool fan, 26, is in the final few months of his contract and widely expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, although an official update on his future has yet to be communicated.
Alexander-Arnold has faced a backlash from some fans on social media in the wake of news that Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have signed new deals. But the away end was full of adulation for the England star when he ripped off his top to celebrate a sweet left foot strike in the 76th minute of Sunday’s game.
His celebration was then quickly picked apart online by fans, plenty of whom theorised that his passionate celebration may have been a hint that he is, in fact, staying put.
Commenting on a clip of the goal and Alexander-Arnold’s celebration, one Reds fan said: “Surely he’s not doing a celebration like that and leaving,” while another wrote: “No way he doesn’t stay after that celebration????”.
Another social media user put the question to fellow fans on X, posting: “Anyone else think Alexander-Arnold is staying?”. Another seemed far more positive, writing: “His celebration means he’s staying.”
Alexander-Arnold, who has been sidelined in recent weeks with an injury, looked jubilant in the post-match celebrations and was pushed forward by Van Dijk to soak up the plaudits.
He was then put on the spot in a post-match interview with Sky Sports, where he was asked if he could offer any sort of update on his future.
But Alexander-Arnold gave nothing away, replying: “I have said all season that I am not going to speak on my situation. I am not going to go into the details. But days like today are always special. Scoring goals, playing games, winning games, winning titles – they are special moments for me and I am glad to do my part.”
On his goal, which was his first ever left-footed strike, he added: “Sure, it was [one of the best moments in a Liverpool shirt]. I have scored a few goals here at this stadium. We are so close to winning the title now and the first game back from injury as well, it was an important game for me.
“I am pretty sure it is my first left-foot goal. It’s taken a few years, but got there in the end. Probably the one type of goal that I was missing, but I was saving it for a right time. We are so close to wining – just one win away now. To do that especially with the fans here is a very, very special moment.”
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