Robertson pens gushing tribute to TAA ahead of Liverpool star's final game

Andy Robertson has shared a gushing tribute to team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of the Liverpool's stars final game at the club.

Alexander-Arnold has spent more than two decades at Anfield, joining the academy in 2004, and has won eight trophies including two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

But the 26-year-old has called time on his Anfield career and is set to join Real Madrid once his contract expires next month.

Despite playing a crucial role in Liverpool's Premier League win this season,  Alexander-Arnold has been harshly criticised by fans and even booed at Anfield.

And the England international cut a lonely figure as their Premier League title party rumbled on away at Brighton on Monday night.

Robertson had previously launched a passionate defence of Alexander-Arnold after he was booed, with the Scot adding he was 'disappointed' to lose his 'best mate'.

On Wednesday, he paid an emotional tribute to Alexander-Arnold ahead of the right-back's final game for Liverpool.

'My brother, where to even start! It has been an absolute privilege watching you grow from a boy to a man over these last 8 years,' he posted on Instagram.

'You have won it all and created amazing memories along the way. I want to thank you for constantly pushing me to new limits and setting the bar so high that I had no choice but to follow.

'You are going to be a huge miss around the training ground and an even bigger miss on the pitch. I hope all the hard work you have put into this club, the moments you have given us and the massive contribution you have made are recognised as they should be…..

'Wingmen one last time.'

Alexander-Arnold was quick to respond, sharing the story with the caption 'wingmen' alongside a love heart emoji.

The full-back pair have won eight major trophies together since first playing alongside each other in 2017.

Robertson joined Jurgen Klopp's side in 2017 for £8million, while Alexander-Arnold made his debut the season before after coming through Liverpool's academy.

The duo are the highest assisting defenders in Premier League history, with 64 for Alexander-Arnold and 60 for Robertson.

Although a move to Real Madrid has yet to be confirmed for Alexander-Arnold, defender Dani Carvajal accidentally revealed that he is prepared to welcome the challenge of competing with him next season.

The Spaniard told reporters: 'Competition with Trent Alexander-Arnold? That's clear, it hasn't been made official yet, but it seems so. There's no talk of fear here; we'll be teammates.

'Competition improves both of us and brings out the best in each of us.'

Los Blancos want the England full-back to feature in their Club World Cup campaign which kicks off in June.

Alexander-Arnold will make his final Liverpool appearance on Sunday against Crystal Palace at Anfield.

Despite Liverpool supporters jubilantly celebrating in the away end at Brighton on Monday, he appeared not to be in the mood and was stood with his hands on his hips, looking like he'd prefer to be elsewhere.

Meanwhile, last week the star enjoyed a Liverpool farewell party with a lavish personal summer festival with a band, flamethrowers, bars, and barbecue food at the club's AXA Training Centre.

The fun didn't stop there, with beach games, a kids' zone, fairies on stilts, crazy golf, and even cakes dedicated to him under the party's 'Summer of 66 (his shirt number)' theme.