Alexander-Arnold remains coy on Liverpool future
Trent Alexander-Arnold refused to discuss his future at Liverpool after his goal helped Arne Slot's side to a 1-0 win over Leicester City on Monday (AEST).
Alexander-Arnold, fresh from a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury, emerged from the bench to score the winning goal 14 minutes from time at King Power Stadium.
The England international wheeled away in a passionate celebration, removing his shirt before making his way over to the travelling Liverpool support.
But speaking after the game, Alexander-Arnold brushed away talk of an Anfield exit, with reports suggesting a move to Real Madrid is on the cards this summer.
"I have said all season that I am not going to speak on my situation. I am not going to go into the details," he said.
"But days like today are always special. Scoring goals, playing games, winning games, winning titles – they are special moments for me and I am glad to do my part.
"Sure, it was [one of the best moments in a Liverpool shirt]. I have scored a few goals here at this stadium.
"We are so close to winning the title now and the first game back from injury as well. It was an important game for me.
"I am pretty sure it is my first left-foot goal. It's taken a few years, but got there in the end.
"Probably the one type of goal that I was missing, but I was saving it for a right time. We are so close to wining - just one win away now.
"To do that especially with the fans here is a very, very special moment."
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said Alexander-Arnold deserves respect from fans for his service to the club over the past nine years.
Van Dijk, who last week signed a new deal at Liverpool, conceded that the situation with his team-mate needs to be resolved, but asked fans to show love to Alexander-Arnold.
"Whatever may happen in the future for him, that's something that he has to resolve with himself and the family, but he's a Liverpool player at this point and he's important for our team," the Dutchman said.
"He has been important throughout the whole season and today again he came back from the injury, a long one, and that's what I'm happy about.
"Since I joined the club, he has been a fantastic player and there's a lot of good things that he will always be remembered for if he decides to leave."
Alexander-Arnold has 64 assists in the Premier League, which is five more than any defender in the competition's history, with team-mate Andrew Robertson in second on 59.
The England international trails only Leighton Baines (85) for goal contributions among defenders in the history of the Premier League. Alexander-Arnold is on 82.
"When he scores a big goal like that, I think he deserves applause for stepping up in that particular moment and to soak it all in because whether he stays or leaves, these are moments which you shouldn't take for granted to give us as a team the opportunity ... to finish it off," Van Dijk continued.
"I think he deserved that moment and now it's back to work and be ready for the weekend."
Liverpool can seal the title with victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur next Monday (AEST). It could come earlier than that should Arsenal lose to Crystal Palace in midweek.
