He spoke at his presentation
Real Madrid signing Trent Alexander-Arnold spoke at a press conference as he was presented on Thursday. “To tell you the truth, it’s not something you can dream of,” he said. “It’s beyond reality for a lot of players, there are only a handful of English players who can do it. When I was younger, I didn’t think I could be here today. I was focused on learning. Today is a dream for me.”
Trent on his feelings
“It’s very exciting. It’s a day I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I’m proud to be here, it’s a dream. I can’t wait to get started.”
Trent on why now was the right time
“I’ve been waiting a long time. A couple of weeks, not years. I’m very excited to be here. You have to respect the club. I’ve grown up watching Real Madrid win back-to-back Champions League titles. I’m not surprised to see Madrid winning titles. I want to be part of all the success from now on. The club has a winning mentality. We are going to the USA to win the Club World Cup.”
Trent on his conversation with Xabi Alonso
“It’s good to be able to talk to him. I’ve told him he was an idol for me and working with him is a dream come true. He has impacted the way I play. He did impossible things and he has influenced me to work hard and train hard. We haven’t met yet and I’m sure we’ll have a chat in the next few days about what he expects from me. He’s a new coach and to get everyone to understand him, it might take a while. But he’s already shown what he is. I’m going to try to absorb the best I can.”
Trent on Dani Carvajal
“He is a fantastic player. I respect everything he has achieved. It doesn’t happen without talent and hard work.”
Trent on what he spoke about with Jude Bellingham
“I think it’s not what people thought, we’ve talked about Liverpool and Real Madrid. I wanted to know what Madrid is like. A lot of people think he played an important role in coming here, but Madrid needs no introduction.”
Trent on the contrast in emotions after his Liverpool farewell
“Joining such a club is hard enough. It’s very exciting to play with this kind of players. Playing with them instead of against them will be good. It’s totally different things. Everything I’ve achieved with Liverpool has been unbelievable, it will never be forgotten. But I’ve gone out in a good way, I’m happy with the way I’ve done it. I couldn’t say anything bad about the fans. They’ve all been amazing, they’ve been so supportive. It’s been an incredible help. The owners have thanked me for everything I’ve done for the club and that I’m always welcome. To be told all that is unbelievable. Now to be here is very exciting for me. It’s unbelievable. Something not many players get to experience.”
Trent on his best position
“I just want to play, that’s what’s important. That’s up to the coach to decide, I have to train well and show what I can do. If I get the chance to do it next week, I will do my best. The work starts tomorrow for me, I’m excited to get started.”
Trent on when he started hoping to join Real Madrid
“It’s not a question of when. I’ve always known that for me, if at some point I left Liverpool it was to go to Real Madrid. There are moments when you have to make a decision and making it has not been easy. I’m not going to say it because it’s not true. I had been there for so long that I was part of it. I made the right decision and I’m happy about that.”
Trent on comparing Real Madrid with Liverpool
“I’ve been lucky enough to play for the biggest team in England and now the biggest team in Spain. Both have dominated and won their leagues. It’s an honour to be able to represent both. They have a lot of similarities. At Liverpool they expected us to win titles and here too.”
Trent on changing the name on his shirt
“It’s easy. Whenever I travel around Europe, the name is complicated for people. I thought the easiest thing to do was to simplify it.”
Trent on playing with players he used to play against
“I am delighted to play with them. They are world-class players. They are the kind of players you want to play with and train with every day. It’s very important. I’m going to be able to play great games with them. We are going to make a very good connection. I hope I can replicate what I was able to do at Liverpool.”
Trent on Florentino Pérez
“A chairman who has won so many Champions League titles is incredible. I am extremely grateful to him for giving me this opportunity. I think we can win a lot together. I was happy with the Spanish I managed to speak, which surprised a lot of people, but for me it was important to get that and to start off on the right foot.”
Trent on his first memory of Real Madrid
“It was a long time ago, to be honest. I remember Beckham playing and it was huge. I remember Cristiano. Real Madrid demands success.”
Trent on whether he could be more appreciated in Spain than in England
“I haven’t given this much thought. I do what the coaches I’ve played with tell me. Each one asks for different things. I do what I am asked to do in the best possible way. I’m concerned with helping my teammates win titles and giving the best version of myself.”
Trent on set pieces
“I want to be important in every moment and in every match. You have to think that you feel part of the party, you don’t have to disconnect.”
Trent on the most difficult thing leaving Liverpool
“Everything is interconnected. I’ve been there for so long and I’ve achieved everything I wanted and I’ve achieved my dreams. I will always be dead set on them, but I think it was the right time. I feel that, being the age I am, I’m ready to succeed somewhere else. This opportunity has come and that’s what I did.”
Trent on speaking to his teammates
“I’ve spoken to Dean [Huijsen], we met during the holidays. He’s going to meet a lot of the guys tomorrow and I’ll get to talk to them. I’m very excited about that. I still have to pinch myself, it’s a dream. I can’t wait to get started. I hope to get off on the right foot.”
