Liverpool 'hand forced' after major Trent Alexander-Arnold development - Exclusive

Liverpool supporters were rocked by the news that Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave.

The 26-year-old is set for a new adventure away from Merseyside, with many observers expecting him to join Real Madrid.

The boyhood Reds fan has decided to call time on his Liverpool career, after winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League and several other trophies.

Alexander-Arnold exit forces Liverpool into the market

Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to leave Anfield when his contract expires and that is why they are in the market for Jeremie Frimpong.

Finance expert Dan Plumley believes that the Reds had no choice to enter the market as a result but also admitted that the club probably always planned to be busy this summer anyway.

Speaking exclusively to Liverpool News, he said: "I think it's always kind of circumstantial. The short answer is yes, they do, clubs will do that, but there are a few other moving parts within that.

"What Jurgen Klopp got out of that squad, he eked everything out of it, then Slot came in and there was not any movement at all, so we thought, that is a bit of a transition season.

"But he has gone and won the league, but now I think Slot's second year was always, well, he would have wanted to buy some players, so I guess that was natural.

"Given the season that they had and how many times have we talked about the Salah, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold situations this year, those were big deals that they need to sort out, we now know with Salah and Van Dijk staying and Trent is going to go, that sort of forces your hand in the market."

Liverpool can get stronger

Fenway Sports Group are set to back Arne Slot this summer to overhaul his squad after a tremendous maiden season in English football with limited signings last summer.

If they get it right, the Reds could be even stronger even though they are losing one of their most creative assets in the England star for free.

Losing Alexander-Arnold will hurt supporters, as seen by the booing and heckling that he endured in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal (11 May) but it may not matter in the long-term.