Trent Alexander-Arnold has spoken candidly about his controversial transfer from Liverpool to Real Madrid in June.

The 25-year-old right-back, who had been with the Reds since the age of six, joined Los Blancos in a $13.4m (£10m) deal just weeks before his contract was set to expire. The move allowed him to feature for Madrid at the Club World Cup in the United States.

Although Liverpool offered him a new contract, Alexander-Arnold rejected the deal, deciding to seek fresh challenge at the end of his long spell at Anfield.

Reflecting on the decision in an interview with GQ Spain, he admitted the choice was far from easy and the transfer was not only about football but also personal growth.

“It was one of the toughest decisions of my life. Liverpool is my home; it made me who I am. But Madrid felt like the right step, at the right time. It’s definitely a challenge, but it’s a challenge I welcome.

“The Bernabéu is a sacred place. You feel the weight of the jersey, but that pushes you to give your all. The legacy of Real Madrid is undeniable. More than that, what attracted me was the ambition and the chance to prove myself in a new context.

“Yes, I feel it’s a personal transformation as well as a professional one. Moving to a new country, learning a new culture—it pushes you as a person. It’s more than soccer.”