Trent Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool exit has proven to be one of the twistiest transfer sagas in recent Premier League history. But it's the perception of betrayal that has left a foul taste in the mouths of Liverpool fans. And UFC star Paddy Pimblett is no exception.
The UFC lightweight and proud Liverpudlian has been highly critical of Alexander-Arnold's behaviour during the 2025 season, which eventually led to the England right-back securing a transfer to European giants Real Madrid.
Trent joined the Liverpool academy as a six-year-old in 2004, going on to make 354 appearances from 2016 to 2025. During that time, he helped his boyhood club secure eight major honours, including this season's Premier League title.
Trent's contributions have been crucial to Liverpool's unique attacking style over the last decade, but Pimblett feels that the way he has engineered his move to Madrid has been nothing short of a betrayal to his local club and city. And not one to hide behind a keyboard or a journalist's microphone, Pimblett revealed the depth of his own connection to Liverpool.
Paddy Pimblett on Trent Leaving Liverpool
The Liverpool fan is not happy with Trent's actions
"I was there," revealed Pimblett in a clip featured on UFC on TNT Sports' X account. "Yeah, I booed. Just gonna be honest, lad. I'm not going to sit here and lie, lad, I booed.
"Some woman in front of me tried to shake her head at me. And I was like, 'What are you shaking your head at?' He's still got a Liverpool shirt on. I was like, 'It doesn't matter, he's a Real Madrid player now.' He's a rat and he dogged us. Simple as that.
"It's the way he's done it. It's the way he went about it. It's not the fact he's leaving. You know, Coutinho was Brazilian, lad. Coutinho signed a contract extension so that the club got money because he had a bit of loyalty."
Liverpool fans are used to losing their marquee signings to big Spanish clubs. However, as Pimblett pointed out, those previous transfers have provided a significant financial boost for the club. Luis Suarez's 2011 move to Barcelona cost the La Liga giants a reported £65 million and the aforementioned Philippe Coutinho move came to significantly more. With every add-on clause considered, Liverpool should eventually earn a reported £142 million from the deal.
Paddy Pimblett's professional MMA record (as of 11/06/25)
26 fights
By knockout
By submission
By decision
The Coutinho move has been crucial to Liverpool's success. Current club captain Virgil van Dijk joined in the same January 2018 window that Coutinho departed. The remainder of his transfer sum was spent on current goalkeeper Alisson in the following summer window. In contrast, Trent's decision not to renew his contract and leave the club for free has sparked outrage among Liverpool fans, with many aligning with Pimblett's views in the comments of his clip on UFC on TNT Sports' X account.
Liverpool Fans Agree With Paddy Pimblett
It's seemingly the way Trent is leaving that's caused most problems
Trent Alexander-Arnold
"10000000000000% agreed," wrote one disgruntled Liverpool fan account. "Well said Paddy," echoed another. That being said, there were an equal number of fans who defended the nature of Trent's transfer to Real Madrid as well.
"How loyal are FSG to Trent? They nearly dumped Virgil and Salah this year. If Trent missed this chance to play with Jude and Mbappe at Madrid, he’d end up being sold to Villa when he’s 29 and then what? You don’t boo someone who won everything for you," wrote one user in the replies.
It's a transfer saga that will live long in the memory of Liverpool fans, and it speaks strongly of the divided opinions over Trent's decision-making too. The Liverpool right-back had the chance to elevate himself to the same level of respect earned by local legends such as Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler. But the call of Real Madrid is a hard one to ignore. Rat or not, it remains to be seen whether Trent will become a Madrid legend or, as Jurgen Klopp warned, just another player at a big club.
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