Trent Alexander-Arnold has dropped a bombshell revelation about Liverpool's devastating 2022 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid that will leave Reds supporters reeling.
The England international made a startling admission that he and his teammates knew they were destined for failure against the Spanish giants before they even stepped onto the Stade de France pitch in Paris.
The Psychological Battle Already Lost
In an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo magazine, Alexander-Arnold revealed the crushing truth about Liverpool's mindset heading into European football's biggest match.
"We knew we weren't going to win the Champions League final," confessed the 25-year-old defender. "It's hard to say that, and it sounds weird, but going into the game, we knew we weren't going to win."
This shocking premonition of defeat came despite Liverpool enjoying a phenomenal season that saw them push Manchester City to the final day in the Premier League title race and lift both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Real Madrid's Unbeatable Aura
Alexander-Arnold pointed to Real Madrid's remarkable journey to the final as the source of Liverpool's psychological surrender. The Spanish champions had produced stunning comebacks against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Manchester City, creating an aura of invincibility.
"We had to play Real Madrid and we were like, 'There's just no way we're winning this.' They've just beaten the champions [Man City], they've got a week to prepare, we've got three days," Alexander-Arnold explained.
The right-back described how Real's dramatic semi-final victory over City, sealed with two late goals in added time, created an overwhelming sense of destiny about their campaign.
From Quadruple Dreams to Double Disappointment
Liverpool's season ultimately ended in heartbreak on multiple fronts. After chasing an unprecedented quadruple, they fell short in both the Premier League and Champions League within the space of seven days.
Alexander-Arnold's confession reveals the mental and physical exhaustion that plagued Jurgen Klopp's squad after playing every possible game across four competitions.
The defender's honest assessment provides crucial insight into the psychological challenges facing elite athletes and how momentum and perceived destiny can influence outcomes at the highest level of sport.
This revelation comes as Liverpool prepare for another crucial period under new manager Arne Slot, with fans hoping the squad can rediscover the winning mentality that brought them Champions League glory in 2019.
