Arne Slot says it is a "pity" that Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool after he bowed out as a Premier League champion on Sunday. (More Sports News)
Alexander-Arnold was introduced at half-time in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, waving goodbye to Anfield for the final time in Liverpool colours.
The England right-back is reportedly expected to join Real Madrid, and he had experienced a mixed reaction from Liverpool supporters following confirmation of his exit.
However, the Anfield crowd offered a much more positive response when he was introduced on the final day, and Slot says that both Liverpool and Alexander-Arnold will miss each other.
"He's leaving such a great club and he knows, he feels that," Slot said on Sky Sports.
"He has been at this club for 20 years, he knows everyone here, team-mates, staff members. It is normal that even only being in a club for a few years, you're going to miss it, let alone 20 years and let alone Liverpool.
"The fans showed a great reaction towards him, but the quality he showed again today is why it is such a pity he is going to leave."
Alexander-Arnold played his 354th and final game across all competitions for Liverpool, ending with 23 goals and 86 assists for his boyhood club.
The 26-year-old created 677 chances in that time, a remarkable tally from full-back, across his 28,167 minutes on the pitch.
Slot felt Alexander-Arnold deserved a fond farewell after a couple of weeks of being left in the cold by Liverpool's supporters, with their reaction prompting criticism from former boss Jurgen Klopp in the build-up to the Palace game.
"It was always the plan to give him some playing time," Slot added. "This was a good moment for him to come on and impact the game.
"Conor [Bradley] has been great the last few weeks, but he [Trent] deserved to be on the pitch for all he has done for me, for his team-mates, for the fans.
"He deserved to be on the pitch one last time at Anfield."
