Football
‘I hope one day!’ Tearful Trent Alexander-Arnold sends emotional message to Liverpool fans
Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled to hold back tears as he played his final match at Anfield, closing the chapter on a remarkable journey with Liverpool.
The England defender, who has spent two decades at the club he joined as a child, is expected to confirm his next move to Real Madrid in the coming days, finalizing a free transfer that has already stirred mixed emotions among fans.
The 26-year-old’s decision to leave his boyhood club divided opinion, especially after the reception he received during Liverpool’s home game against Arsenal earlier this month.
Although Arne Slot initially left him out of the squad for the Crystal Palace fixture, an injury to Conor Bradley paved the way for Alexander-Arnold to step back onto the Anfield pitch one last time.
The moment was emotionally charged. Just a year after Jurgen Klopp’s emotional farewell, the former Liverpool manager made his return to Anfield, witnessing Alexander-Arnold receive a much warmer response from the home crowd.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but the real story was the farewell tribute to a player who’s been at the heart of Liverpool’s success in recent years.
After participating in the Premier League trophy ceremony, Alexander-Arnold was interviewed by former teammate Daniel Sturridge. Reflecting on the day, he admitted he had braced for a different atmosphere following recent events, but still wanted the opportunity to wear the Liverpool shirt one final time.
He shared that he had asked the manager for a chance to play after halftime, and the trust he received meant the world to him. Speaking emotionally, he said that while he had played hundreds of matches for the Reds, he had never felt as appreciated and loved as he did that afternoon.
He expressed his hope that, in time, fans would understand and recognize his dedication, stating that from the moment he joined Liverpool at the age of six, his commitment to the club never wavered.
As he stood on the Anfield pitch with the Premier League trophy in hand, it marked the end of an era. Alexander-Arnold leaves behind a legacy built on loyalty, talent, and countless memories in a red shirt.
Looking ahead, Liverpool now turns its attention to reshaping the squad for the future. While Alexander-Arnold prepares for his Spanish chapter, the Reds are already at work behind the scenes.
Deals are progressing for Bayer Leverkusen stars Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili having already completed a move earlier.
Manager Arne Slot addressed the club’s summer plans, suggesting that while the number of new signings remains uncertain, the entire leadership team is aligned on building a competitive side.
The recent success, including retaining top players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, adds to the sense of optimism surrounding the upcoming season.
Slot emphasized that regardless of how active the window becomes, Liverpool has already made a major statement by lifting the Premier League title.
The departure of Alexander-Arnold may feel like the end of something special, but for the club, it also signals the beginning of a new era filled with fresh ambition.
Juventus are reportedly set to compete with Napoli for the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer.
The 25-year-old is back at Old Trafford following a season-long loan at Chelsea, where he made a solid impact with five goals and 10 assists across 41 competitive appearances. He also found the net in Chelsea’s convincing 4-1 victory in last month’s Conference League final, though his efforts were not enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.
Chelsea were initially expected to secure Sancho for £25 million as part of their loan agreement but ultimately chose to walk away from the obligation. As a result, they were required to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty fee.
Despite being under contract with United, Sancho is not considered part of manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. If he fails to secure a transfer in the coming weeks, the winger is expected to be left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States.
Juventus enter the race for Sancho
Napoli had previously emerged as the frontrunner for Sancho’s signature, with the player reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the Serie A champions. However, a deal between Manchester United and Napoli has yet to be finalized.
According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have now entered the picture, exploring the financial and contractual terms of a potential move. The Turin-based side is seriously evaluating the opportunity to sign the England international, who has earned 23 senior caps.
Is Juventus the right fit for Sancho?
Juventus manager Igor Tudor is preparing for his first full season in charge after leading the team to a top-four finish last term. Known for deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Tudor’s system does not traditionally utilize wide wingers like Sancho.
If he joins Juventus, Sancho would likely compete for one of the two attacking midfield spots behind the main striker—a role that currently sees strong competition from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez. Unless one of these players is sold, Sancho might struggle to find regular playing time in Turin.
Napoli, on the other hand, could offer a more suitable environment for the former Borussia Dortmund star. With the club still looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January, Sancho may find more opportunities to thrive in his preferred position on the wing.
Nicolas Jackson endured a nightmare cameo as Chelsea collapsed in the second half against Flamengo during their FIFA Club World Cup clash, suffering a 3-1 defeat that puts their tournament hopes at risk.
Chelsea initially took the lead through Pedro Neto, whose composed finish through the goalkeeper’s legs gave the Premier League side a promising start. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the break.
Flamengo responded in ruthless fashion, netting twice in quick succession. Substitute Bruno Henrique capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range, followed by another back-post finish from Danilo that stunned the Blues and put the Brazilian side ahead.
Matters worsened for Chelsea when substitute Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card just four minutes after entering the pitch.
His dangerous challenge saw his studs connect with Lucas Ayrton’s shin, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off immediately.
Flamengo sealed the win with a third goal, as Wallace Yan added the final blow to a chaotic second half that Chelsea will want to forget.
The result means Chelsea must now beat African side ES Tunis in their next match on Tuesday to progress to the last 16. However, finishing second in the group could set them up for a much tougher path, likely facing the winner of Group C, which may include Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
Flamengo’s victory strengthens their bid to top Group D and extends the unbeaten run of South American teams in the Club World Cup’s newly expanded format.
Flamengo vs Chelsea Highlight
Monterrey secured their spot in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, now known as the CONCACAF Cup.
Fast forward four years, and the team returned to the international stage at the Rose Bowl with only one player from that title-winning squad still in the lineup: veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The club had not lifted any silverware since that 2021 triumph, which made what happened next even more unexpected.
In a surprising twist, Monterrey opened the scoring against Inter Milan in the 25th minute, as Sergio Ramos delivered a perfectly placed header.
The Spanish defender, who joined the Mexican outfit earlier this year on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, had cited the Club World Cup as a major influence in his decision to sign. His goal sent the Monterrey fans into wild celebrations.
However, their joy didn’t last long. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martínez—fresh off a World Cup win—responded with a close-range finish following a perfectly orchestrated set-piece.
The Argentine’s goal silenced the Rayados-dominated crowd and brought the game level at 1-1 before halftime.
The second half saw both teams tighten up defensively, limiting each other’s chances as the game wore on.
Inter, still recovering from a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, looked eager to reassert themselves. But it was Monterrey who rose to the occasion, matching their European opponents stride for stride and leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a gritty performance.
Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan Highlights
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