The former Reds right-back joined Real Madrid in the summer
A mural dedicated to Trent-Alexander Arnold near Anfield has been vandalised ahead of Liverpool's Champions League clash with La Liga leaders, Real Madrid. The defacing of the painting comes as the former Liverpool defender returns to the Reds' home this evening for the first time since his departure in June.
The 27-year-old's two-decade-long stint with the Reds came to an end as the right-back decided to leave Anfield after his contract ended on June 30, 2025. Speaking about his feelings at the time, Alexander-Arnold said: "I think first and foremost, I want to say it’s not an easy decision and there’s a lot of thought and feeling that has gone into it.
"I’ve been here 20 years now, loved every single minute of it, achieved all my dreams, achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to here. Giving everything day in, day out for 20 years, I’ve got to a point now where I feel like I need a new change, a new challenge for me as a player and as a person. And I think now is the right time for me to do that."
Despite a negative reception in some of his final games as a Red. Alexander-Arnold insists his love of Liverpool won't be affected by a hostile response this week on his first Anfield return since his departure to the Spanish giants.
Alexander-Arnold was booed by sections of the Liverpool crowd in his first game after he announced he would be leaving the club. He was given a warmer reaction when he played against Crystal Palace in the final game of the Premier League campaign.
A mural celebrating his successes at the club was unveiled at the corner of Sybil Street and Anfield Road back in 2019. The impressive three-storey image of the Liverpool right-back was formally unveiled on August 8, 2019.
The mural was organised by The Anfield Wrap to commemorate an incredible year, following the Reds' Champions League final win in Madrid. Speaking on the day the mural was unveiled, Alexander-Arnold said he hoped the mural would "stay for a long time".
The mural was today, November 4, targeted by vandals as white paint covered the number so synonymous with the once-loved Liverpool full-back, "66".
Alexander-Arnold mural November 4 2025
Alexander-Arnold mural November 4 2025
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When the ECHO arrived at Sybil Road this morning, workmen were already in the process of removing the paint as ladders were propped against a wall and a hose spraying water was directed at the graffiti.
The message accompanying the mural saying "I'm just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has just come true" was splattered with spots of white paint.
Directly under the quote the word "rat" had been written in a large letters. The insult was written several times on the side of the Anfield house. One message said "Adios El Rata."
Speaking to the ECHO at the time the mural was unveiled, Alexander-Arnold emphasised the important message he hopes young people will take from his journey and the mural. He said: "The main message that kids should gather from me and my story is that anything is possible.
"Anything can happen—because I was once that kid in a Gerrard or Carragher shirt. They were the local players, and they made me feel like anything could happen. It wasn’t the players who came in from elsewhere; it was the local lads who showed me that it’s possible to live your dream."
Trent Alexander-ArnolD celebrates with the Premier League trophy after his final appearance for Liverpool
Trent Alexander-ArnolD celebrates with the Premier League trophy after his final appearance for Liverpool
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The artwork was created by Akse, a French graffiti artist known for painting the Klopp mural in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle. Whilst the legacy of Alexander-Arnold on the red half of Merseyside may not be what he had hoped when he announced his departure, he still has a strong love of the club.
He was recently asked if he will celebrate should he score on Tuesday, the Madrid player responded: "You've got to put your emotions to one side and play the best football game you can. (But) if I was to score, then I wouldn’t celebrate, to be honest, no."
Alexander-Arnold joined the Reds at the age of six, rose through the Academy ranks. He made 354 appearances for the club and won two Premier League titles and Champions League, among other accolades and achievements.