Arne Slot insisted that everybody should be allowed to have an opinion after Trent Alexander-Arnold was heavily booed by Liverpool fans during their game against Arsenal. The defender was introduced in place of Conor Bradley in the second half but was jeered by what sounded like the majority of home supporters. He was making his first appearance for the Reds since announcing that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Alexander-Arnold's first touch of the ball was met with a chorus of deafening boos. Some fans chose to sing the name of Bradley, who will be hoping to prove himself as a worthy successor to the 26-year-old ahead of next season. After the final whistle, Slot was asked to give his reaction to what happened and said that he was in no position to tell supporters what to think.
He pointed out that many fans stopped booing Alexander-Arnold as the game progressed and praised the Anfield faithful for singing songs about Bradley and former Reds midfielder Steven Gerrard.
Explaining why he decided to bring the defender onto the pitch in the first place, Slot said: "Trent showed why I brought him in because he had two or three incredible balls [into the box].
"For the fans, they can always have the reaction they want but I will always back the players I lead and the ones that wear the red shirt. I will back them no matter what.
"First of all, they sang for Steven Gerrard, which is a nice thing to do, and then for Conor Bradley. But when Trent took a free-kick, more people were positive about him and hoping that he would score than people booing him.
"It would not be fair to focus only on the Liverpool fans that booed. If they want to, it's fine, but there were a lot of people that were really positive about him as well."
MORE TO FOLLOW
We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures, and video on this breaking news story.
Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @DExpress_Sport - the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account - providing real news in real-time.
We're also on Facebook @DailyExpressSport - offering your must-see news, features, videos, and pictures throughout the day to like, comment, and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express, and Express.co.uk.