By Daily Sports Nigeria on May 13, 2025

Virgil van Dijk is confident Liverpool's Premier League title celebrations will not be overshadowed by the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Liverpool-born right-back, 26, announced last week that he will leave when his contract expires at the end of June, and he is expected to join Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold played for the first time since confirming his impending exit when he appeared as a substitute in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday and was booed by some supporters.

Captain Van Dijk, who said the team are "gutted" to be losing such an important player, said Alexander-Arnold "has to deal" with the negativity.

He also promised that Liverpool plan to celebrate their record-equalling 20th English top-flight title in style - ensuring Alexander-Arnold is part of the trophy lift celebrations at Anfield on Sunday, 25 May.

An open-top bus parade in the city will follow the next day.

"We want to win two more games and after the final whistle, including him [Alexander-Arnold], lift the trophy up and celebrate like we have never done before," said the 33-year-old Netherlands international.

When asked whether Alexander-Arnold's approaching exit could overshadow the celebrations, Van Dijk said: "I don't think so. It shouldn't. There's a lot more players that also deserve an amazing day."

Sunday's jeers were mixed with cheers from other supporters, with Alexander-Arnold's team-mate of eight years, Andy Robertson, telling Sky Sports it was "not nice" to hear the boos.

Van Dijk, who signed a two-year contract last month, said all of the Liverpool players need to move on and focus on the final two games of the season.

"The [crowd] reaction happened," Van Dijk said. "He has to deal with it. We as a team have to deal with that as well.

"I wasn't really expecting something, to be honest, but I think maybe he expected this. It's not easy, not at all. We're here for him anyway.

"We are gutted that he's not here with us next year because he's a fantastic player with outstanding, exceptional qualities that we have seen over the last seven years."

The Dutchman also insisted that his situation and that of top scorer Mohamed Salah, 32, who also recently signed a new two-year deal, could not be compared to Alexander-Arnold's position.

"Everyone shares different opinions and he feels like he has done it all, and he did it, and he wants to try something different," Van Dijk said.

"You are speaking about one of the biggest clubs of all in Real Madrid, who he might go to as I read in the media.

"I was sorting my own stuff out. I had to secure my future as well and I was quite busy doing that.

"There were loads of other options, but Liverpool is the place for me."

Source BBC Sports

Posted May 13, 2025

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