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

Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed the level of abuse he has suffered since leaving Liverpool, but says he will always love the club where he played from childhood and will watch every one of their matches.

The England star has spoken in detail for the first time about the bitter aspects of his move to Real Madrid last year, including the abuse he received when returning to Anfield.

He stated that there is a difference between fans venting their anger inside the stadium and those who "cross the line".

He said: "If you are in the public eye and do something that attracts attention, then in 2026, online abuse and threats received through social media DMs or otherwise are an unfortunate part of life. I choose to distance myself from it because it doesn't feel real."

He added: "I can get through it by understanding that this doesn't represent the football club I love – Liverpool – nor does it represent my hometown."

The right-back returned to Anfield in November for a Champions League match, which they lost 1-0. Alexander-Arnold was booed by fans when he came on as a substitute in the 80th minute and during the warm-up.

He said: "The booing and disappointment from Liverpool fans is something I can completely handle. I can understand it in my own way. During that period, I heard many voices saying that Liverpool fans don't want to be told how they feel or what they think, and I agree. But I hope that one day, everyone can understand, to some extent, my thinking about the decisions I've made in my life."

"It does hurt me because I gave so much to this club over the last 20 years and made sacrifices for it during that time. So it's bound to hurt, but I understand the disappointment. I can even understand the anger expressed through booing."

Beyond the anger inside the stadium, a mural celebrating Alexander-Arnold near the ground was repeatedly vandalized with the word "traitor". A footballer friend sent him photos, which weighed heavily on him when he returned to the city for the match.

"Coming back to Liverpool after everything that happened has been on my mind," he said, adding that his family was also upset about it.

"Honestly, if something affects and hurts me, my family will show it too. They're going through all of this with me… We're in it together."

Alexander-Arnold found it difficult to relax throughout the day. He acknowledged: "Even from the start, just thinking about walking into the away dressing room felt strange. I'd never been in there before."

The footballer believes that the broader impact of online abuse is a serious issue, although he thinks it ultimately needs to be addressed by politicians and tech companies. Alexander-Arnold, who has previously suffered severe online racial abuse, said: "Regarding threats to people through social media, online harassment, and its impact on people's mental health, I think this is a very worthy topic for discussion."

"But it needs to be solved by the government and tech companies. I've tried my best to protect myself from it, but I understand that for some people, this isn't possible."

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

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

"I've met many fellow Liverpudlians and Reds fans during my time back. There hasn't been a single real-life interaction that reflected the vitriol online or on social media. So this helps me distinguish between reality and the internet."

"This isn't to say that everyone in Liverpool was indifferent to me leaving the club. They certainly weren't. But it's very different from attacks that go beyond football itself. That's why I won't let myself get too upset or dwell on it."

The intensity of the reaction reflects the unique bond between Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool. As a local lad who joined the academy at age six, he progressed to make 259 appearances for the club. Yet despite the pain of his departure, Alexander-Arnold's own feelings toward Liverpool appear entirely unchanged.

He said: "I still watch every one of their matches. I support them. I want to see them do well. I enjoy watching them play, and regardless of everything, Liverpool will always have a place in my heart. For me, this is 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 his heartbreak after being left out of England's World Cup squad, recalling the day earlier this year when Tuchel broke the news to him.

He said: "I knew the calls had started. Other players I know had already received their calls the day before. To be honest, I was hopeful. When the call came, I was at home in Madrid. Some family members were visiting at the time, and I went to my bedroom to take the call. When I hung up, I was absolutely devastated. Very frustrated. I had no summer plans at all because I expected to be in the squad."

Alexander-Arnold has worked hard to earn his place in Tuchel's plans and felt that his performances at the end of the season justified his belief that he would be selected.

This omission not only disappointed him but also made him very angry. He said: "I hope the coaching staff can anticipate and understand my anger. He needs players who desperately want to play for England. I'm one of them. I think he would respect the fact that this hurt me deeply, and he would prefer to see my hurt reaction rather than indifference."

Given the fierce competition Alexander-Arnold has faced throughout his England career, this pain felt particularly acute. He said: "In my generation so far, we have had many, many excellent right-backs. The competition has always been intense, and the manager will choose who he thinks is best for the team. So far, that hasn't usually been me. But I think I'll use this as motivation to continue developing."

Unlike other players who have openly vented their frustration after being overlooked, Alexander-Arnold believes there's no point in complaining immediately afterward.

He said: "Some things don't need to be said. I think everyone knows I'm disappointed. Speaking openly won't change the manager's decision. He's made his decision and finalized his squad. That can't be changed. Life goes on."

Alexander-Arnold watched England's matches throughout the World Cup and insists that his omission hasn't diminished his determination to play for his country.

He said: "Until I retire, whether I'm selected or not, I'm still an England player. As long as the manager needs me, I'm ready. There's no greater honor than that."

Rather than dwell on the pain of rejection, he plans to use it to push himself and fight his way back into Tuchel's consideration. He said: "I'll channel these emotions into this season and turn them into a positive force. I want to use this as motivation to get back into the England squad and wear the England shirt again. That's my goal, and I'm determined to achieve it."

Alexander-Arnold also spoke about how he struggled following the death of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota in a car accident. The footballer was in the United States with his new team, Real Madrid, for the Club World Cup when his former teammate tragically died.

He explained how being far away in the United States, distant from Liverpool and his former teammates, was extremely difficult.

He said: "I think the hardest part was… going through it alone. Everyone else who knew him so well gathered at that time. It was hard, and having to keep playing, so far away from them, was very difficult. But returning to Anfield and being able to go to the stadium and lay some flowers really helped me find some closure."

Speaking about Diogo, he said they "chatted every day." He added: "There were times when I was injured and he happened to be injured too, and we recovered together to get back on the pitch, and we were both very competitive."

"So, you know, there was always a different kind of competition between us. These are memories I'll cherish. He was a genuinely good person. He was very honest, which is one of the best qualities anyone can have. He worked hard, loved his job, and was very family-oriented."

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