Trent Alexander-Arnold booed on Anfield return as Liverpool fans make feelings clear
Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to Anfield in front of a crowd for the first time since his summer transfer move to Real Madrid and Liverpool fans gave him a ruthless reception
by Nathan Ridley · The MirrorLiverpool fans savagely BOOED Trent Alexander-Arnold on his return to Anfield with new team Real Madrid. Alexander-Arnold, 27, quit his boyhood club in June after rejecting the chance to sign a new contract.
The England international was heavily criticised for his decision by Liverpool supporters, many of whom booed him during the final few games of last season after he'd confirmed his exit. After an emotional farewell which involved lifting the Premier League trophy, it didn't take long for Alexander-Arnold to be summoned back to Anfield.
Real were drawn away to Liverpool in the Champions League and the conversation quickly turned to be how Alexander-Arnold would be received back on Merseyside. Unfortunately for the right-back, he was booed by the fans who once adored him when he came on as a second-half substitute, as Real trailed 1-0 thanks to Alexis Mac Allister's goal.
Some Liverpool fans stood up to applaud him, as he replaced Arda Guler. His every touch was widely booed while chants of 'Steve Gerrard, Gerrard' rang out.
Images emerged ahead of kick-off showing that Alexander-Arnold's mural close to Anfield had been defaced. He was labelled a 'rat'.
On Monday, Alexander-Arnold laid flowers with a handwritten message attached at the memorial area of Anfield. The 27-year-old was paying tribute to his former Reds team-mate, Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car crash in July alongside his brother, Andre Silva.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Liverpool boss Arne Slot admitted that he had 'no clue' how Alexander-Arnold would be received. "I can only tell you what reception he gets from me," Slot stated.
"I have great memories of the player and human, my vice-captain. I have memories working with him that are only positive. I watched him in front of the television and only great memories of him in a Liverpool shirt.
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"He will get a warm welcome from me but let's see how our fans react, I have no clue. A warm welcome from me, that is for certain."
Alexander-Arnold was prepared for the frosty reception, telling Prime Video Sport last week: "Whatever way I'm received, is the decision of the fans. I'll always love the club, I'll always be a fan of the club.
"I'll always be thankful for the opportunities and the things we achieved together… they'll live with me forever. No matter what, my feeling won't change towards Liverpool. I've got memories there that will last me a lifetime, and no matter how I'm received, that won't change."
The Liverpudlian also confirmed that he wouldn't celebrate if he scored a goal against the Reds. "When the draw was announced, everyone knew it was going to happen, it was destined for that fixture to come," he added.
Alexander-Arnold revealed that he got messages from ex-team-mates Andy Robertson, Mo Salah and Ibrahima Konate when the tie was confirmed. "We were just laughing," he explained.
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