Alexander-Arnold has spoken in detail for the first time about the controversy surrounding his departure from Liverpool for Real Madrid, his exclusion from England’s World Cup squad, and the death of his former teammate, Diogo Jota.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed the extent of the abuse he suffered after leaving Liverpool, but says he will always love the club he joined as a boy and will watch every game they play.

The England star has spoken in depth for the first time about the painful nature of his move to Real Madrid last year, including the boos he received on his return to Anfield.

He says there is a difference between fans expressing anger inside a football stadium and “crossing the line”.

He said: "If you're in the public eye and do things that attract attention, then, in 2026, online abuse and threats via social media DMs or other means are a sad part of life. I choose to distance myself from these things because they don't feel real."

He added: "I can understand that by recognizing that it doesn't represent the football club I love, Liverpool, or my home city."

The right-back returned to Anfield last November for a Champions League match that Liverpool lost 1-0. Alexander-Arnold was booed by the fans during the warm-up and after coming on as a substitute in the 80th minute.

He said: "The booing and disappointment from Liverpool fans are things I can totally cope with. I can understand it in my own way. During that period, I heard many voices saying Liverpool fans don't want to be told how to feel or think, and I agree. But I hope that one day everyone can understand, to some extent, the reasons for the decisions I made in my life."

"It hurt me because, over the past 20 years, I've given so much to this club and made sacrifices for it. So yes, it hurt, but I understand the disappointment. I can even understand the anger expressed through the boos."

In addition to the anger inside the stadium, a mural near the ground celebrating Alexander-Arnold was repeatedly defaced with the word ‘traitor’. A friend sent him photos of the vandalism, which weighed heavily on him when he returned to the city for the match.

He said: "Coming back to Liverpool after everything that happened was constantly on my mind." He added that his family was also saddened by it.

"To be honest, if something affects me and hurts me, my family will feel it too. They face all of this with me. We are in this together."

Alexander-Arnold found it difficult to stay calm throughout the day. He admitted: "Even from the beginning, just the thought of walking into the away dressing room felt strange. I had never been in there before."

The footballer believes the wider impact of online abuse is a serious problem, though he thinks it ultimately needs to be addressed by governments and tech companies. Alexander-Arnold, who has previously suffered vile online racial abuse, said: "Regarding threats and online harassment people receive on social media and their impact on mental health, I think it's a very important topic to discuss."

"But it needs to be addressed by governments and tech companies. I've done my best to protect myself from it, but I understand that for some people, it's impossible."

Alexander-Arnold found some relief in the stark difference between the online abuse directed at him and the reception he actually received when he returned to Merseyside.

He said, "Since joining Real Madrid, I've returned to Liverpool many times to visit family."

"I've met many Liverpudlians and Reds fans on my travels. None of my in-person interactions have reflected the nastiness I see online or on social media, so that helps me distinguish between reality and the internet."

"This isn't to say that everyone at Liverpool has accepted my departure from the club. They certainly haven't. But it's very different from attacks that go beyond football itself. That's why I don't let it get me down, nor do I dwell on it."

The intensity of the reaction reflects Alexander-Arnold’s unique bond with Liverpool. A local boy who joined the academy at the age of six, he grew up to make 259 appearances for the club. However, despite the pain of his departure, Alexander-Arnold’s feelings for Liverpool appear to be completely unchanged.

He said: "I still watch every game they play. I support them. I want to see them do well. I love watching them play, and Liverpool will always have a place in my heart no matter what. For me, it's home. This place gave me the opportunity to do everything I've done, and I will always love it. It will always be the place I call home."

Alexander-Arnold also spoke about the disappointment of being left out of England’s World Cup squad, recalling the day earlier this year when Thomas Tuchel delivered the news.

He said: "I knew the phone calls had started. Other players I knew had already received calls the day before, so I was hopeful, to be honest. When the call came, I was at home in Madrid. Some family members were visiting, so I went to my bedroom to take the call. When I hung up, I was truly devastated and incredibly frustrated. I had no plans for the summer at all because I had hoped to be included in the squad."

Alexander-Arnold had been working hard to earn a place in Tuchel's plans and felt that his performances at the end of the season justified his inclusion.

This omission not only disappointed him but also made him very angry. He said: “I expect the coaching staff to understand and respect my anger. He needs players who are extremely eager to play for England, and I am one of them. I think he would respect the fact that it truly hurt me deeply; he would rather see my hurt reaction than my indifference.”

This pain is especially acute given the fierce competition Alexander-Arnold has faced throughout his England career. He said: "In my generation, we have many very good right-backs. The competition has always been intense, and the head coach will choose the people they think are best for the team. So far, that person usually hasn't been me. But I think I will use this as motivation to keep improving."

Unlike other players who publicly expressed their frustration after being snubbed, Alexander-Arnold believes complaining immediately afterward serves no purpose.

He said: "Some things simply don't need to be said. I think everyone knows I was disappointed. Speaking out publicly wouldn't change the manager's decision. He has made his decision and finalized his squad. That cannot be changed. Life goes on."

Alexander-Arnold watched England throughout the World Cup and insists that his omission has not diminished his desire to play for his country.

He said: “Until I retire, whether I’m selected or not, I remain an England player. I’m always available if the manager needs me. There’s no greater honour than that.”

Rather than dwelling on the pain of rejection, he plans to use it to motivate himself and fight his way back into Tuchel's plans. He said: "I will carry these emotions into this season and channel them into positive energy. I want to use this as motivation to be re-selected for the England national team and wear the England shirt again. This is my goal, and I hope to achieve it."

Alexander-Arnold also recalled how he struggled after Liverpool striker Diogo Jota died in a car crash. He was in the United States with Real Madrid, participating in the Club World Cup, when his former teammate tragically passed away.

He described this period, spent far from Liverpool and his former teammates in the United States, as “very, very tough.”

He said: "I think the hardest part was having to go through it alone. Everyone else who had known him for so long was together at the time. It was tough, and having to keep playing games so far away from them was really difficult. But coming back to Anfield, being able to go to the stadium and lay flowers, really helped me find closure."

Speaking about Diogo, he said the two of them “talked every day.” He added: “There were a few times when I was injured and he was injured at the same time, so we did rehabilitation together to return to the field. We were both very competitive.”

“There were always different competitions between us. These are memories I will cherish. He was simply a good person and very honest, which is one of the best qualities anyone can have. He worked hard, loved his job and was extremely family-oriented.”

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