Liverpool fans are preparing for heartbreak this summer as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit edges ever closer.

Right up until the point Alexander-Arnold officially announced his departure on Monday, some supporters had been hoping the Scouser would stay.

However, those feelings had long-since looked unfounded, with Alexander-Arnold seduced by the idea of playing for Real Madrid.

The 26-year-old is not the first – and perhaps won’t be the last – Liverpool player to swap red for white in acrimonious fashion.

Xabi Alonso has just opened door for Liverpool to sign ideal Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement	Trent Alexander-Arnold already made Xabi Alonso feelings clear ahead of Real Madrid moves	Jeremie Frimpong issues six-word message to Xabi Alonso ahead of expected Real Madrid move

Steve McManaman and Michael Owen are often held up as the worst examples of this, justifiably so.

But Xabi Alonso also headed for the Santiago Bernabeu to leave Liverpool high and dry.

And, in a slightly cruel twist of fate, Alonso is set to arrive in Madrid once again this summer, this time as manager.

As Alexander-Arnold gears up for a new life in Spain, his past comments on the former Liverpool midfielder show that he’s been given another bonus to his move.

Photo by LFC Foundation/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Rewind just over a year, and many Liverpool supporters had desperately hoped – and even expected – that Alexander-Arnold and Alonso would be linking up as player and manager at Anfield.

Alonso had been the early front-runner to replace Jurgen Klopp, but he bowed out after deciding to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for an extra year.

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With that season now almost complete, the Bundesliga-winning coach has announced that he will leave Leverkusen.

As per Sky Sports, he is almost certain to join Alexander-Arnold at Madrid.

And judging by some comments from the Liverpool academy graduate back in December 2019, he will be a happy bunny.

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“I think it’s just about replicating the players that I wanted to be when I was younger – the likes of Gerrard, Alonso, who were unbelievable passers of the ball,” Alexander-Arnold said when asked about his passing technique.

“I was practising a lot on my passing and for me it’s paid off and I’m reaping the rewards now.”

Although it does not impact Liverpool as to who will be coaching Alexander-Arnold next season, this one does sting more than a little.

Alonso is a Liverpool great having played a huge part in the surprise Champions League win of 2005, scoring in the final.

But the fact that he is now heading back to another of his former clubs to coach a player who grew up idolising him at Liverpool doesn’t really sit right.

Nevertheless, it is happening, as Alonso more or less confirmed when speaking to the press on Friday.

“This week, the club and I have agreed that these are going to be my last two games as Bayer Leverkusen coach,” said the Spaniard.

As with Alexander-Arnold, there was no mention of where he is going.