Liverpool's outgoing full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was booed by a section of the Anfield crowd as he made his first appearance after announcing he was leaving
18:29, 11 May 2025Updated 18:40, 11 May 2025
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold announced he was leaving earlier this week(Image: AP)
A small section of Liverpool fans showed their true colours to Trent Alexander-Arnold - leaving Gary Neville stunned.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was introduced to Anfield as a second-half substitution on Sunday afternoon, as they led Arsenal 2-1. The Kop continued to sing Conor Bradley's name after he was taken off - before booing the Liverpudlian.
"That is not pleasant for him," Gary Neville said on commentary for Sky Sports as The Kop started to chant Steven Gerrard's name - who had the chance to leave Liverpool but elected to stay.
Earlier this week, Alexander-Arnold announced he would be leaving the Reds when his contract expires in the summer. His most likely destination is Real Madrid.
Arne Slot tried to console Alexander-Arnold, putting his arm around him as the boos reigned down before he entered the pitch.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold was booed by Liverpool fans(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Article continues below
"I wasn't expecting Alexander-Arnold to be booed as much as he has," Neville added.
And the anger towards the full-back only worsened when Arsenal levelled through Mikel Merino. Alexander-Arnold had been booed on his first touch before the Reds gave the ball away.
Martin Odegaard took a pop from distance, forcing a superb save from Alisson, before Merino - who had been kept onside by Alexander-Arnold - turned the ball home.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold could have won the game for Liverpool(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
In a game full of ups and downs, Merino was handed his marching orders a couple of minutes later - allowing Alexander-Arnold, of all people, the chance to be the hero with a free-kick.
The script was written, but the full-back sent his free-kick wide of the mark.
Andy Robertson had thought he'd won the game in the 96th minute, but there was a foul by Ibrahima Konate on Myles Lewis-Skelly that saw the goal ruled out.
Arne Slot
Arne Slot's side drew 2-2 on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)
"After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season," Trent said in a social media post earlier this week.
"This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life. I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No.20.
"This club has been my whole life – my whole world - for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever.
Don't miss a thing with football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories.
You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here
Article continues below
"I will forever be in debt to you all. But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.
"I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club, and I hope you feel like I’ve given back to you during my time here. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody – my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff and our incredible supporters - for the last 20 years.
"I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never, ever take for granted the special moments I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all. My love for this club will never die."