Conor Bradley Trent Alexander-Arnold
Credit: Imago
Alex Oakhill
Mon 12 May 2025 13:50, UK
Conor Bradley’s message has caught the attention of the Liverpool squad, after his substitution for Trent Alexander-Arnold against Arsenal was met with a chorus of boos.
Arne Slot opted to bring Bradley off after 67 minutes in the game against the Gunners, with Alexander-Arnold’s introduction met with audible unhappiness by a large percentage of the Anfield faithful ahead of his free-transfer exit this summer.
Despite goals from Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz giving them a 2-0 lead at the half-time break, the already-crowned Premier League champions were pegged back by Mikel Arteta’s side in the second period.
Gabriel Martinelli pulled one back for the visitors with Mikel Merino’s header levelling the scores, before the midfielder was sent off for a second yellow card moments later.
Alexander-Arnold’s departure announcement left many Liverpool fans unhappy, and when the England international was introduced against Arsenal, it dampened the party atmosphere.
Liverpool Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has angered fans with his departure announcement (Credit Imago)
Bradley sends message amid Alexander-Arnold controversy
Bradley is expected to be the man to step into the right-back position, with Alexander-Arnold set to join Real Madrid once his Liverpool contract expires.
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The Northern Irish full-back took to Instagram (11 May) to reflect on the draw with Arsenal, posting a number of photos from the match along with a trophy emoji and red heart in the caption to commemorate Liverpool’s title win.
Fellow defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahim Konate showed the post support, as did left-back Andy Robertson, with Curtis Jones, and Harvey Elliott also liking the photos.
However, most of the post-match reaction unsurprisingly involved exit-bound fellow right-back, Alexander-Arnold.
Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand left Liverpool supporters furious after he criticised the fans who had berated the departing full-back.
Ferdinand posted on X after the game, labelling the abuse “baffling”, adding that he couldn’t believe Liverpool fans were booing one of their own.
I can’t believe @LFC fans booing one of their own 🤯
I understand that some of you guys are not happy with his decision etc BUT to boo @TrentAA after he has won the lot with you is baffling! Didn’t cost you a penny
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) May 11, 2025
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Sad end to Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool ‘fairytale ‘
Football Insider Verdict
Alexander-Arnold should be leaving as a club legend, after what has undoubtedly been a ‘fairytale’ spell with the Reds.
The academy graduate has been with Liverpool since the age of six, and climbed all the way up to the first team before winning two Premier League titles and a Champions League with the club he supports.
Trophy Number
Premier League 2 (2019/20, 2024/25)
Champions League 1 (2018/19)
EFL Cup 2 (2021/22, 2023/24)
FA Cup 1 (2021/22)
Super Cup 1 (2019)
Community Shield 1 (2022)
Club World Cup 1 (2019)
Alexander-Arnold has won it all at Liverpool
However, some supporters feel betrayed by the manner of his departure, as Alexander-Arnold ran down his contract amid interest from Real Madrid.
Not all Liverpool fans adhere to this school of thought, with some understanding the full-back’s desire to challenge himself in a new environment, after winning it all with the Merseyside club.
Whichever side of the argument you sit on there can be no denying that this is a desperately sad way for a local lad to depart their club, as fans jeer and berate someone who used to be one of their own.
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