Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to Anfield tonight for the first time since leaving Liverpool to join Real Madrid earlier this year.
Jamie Carragher while on TV punditry duty.
Jamie Carragher has reacted to the boos dished out to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
View 2 Images
Jamie Carragher says Liverpool fans had every right to give Trent Alexander-Arnold a "poor" reception on his first return to Anfield since leaving the club this summer.
The 27-year-old joined Real Madrid, on an early agreement in May this year, after running his contract down with Liverpool. At the same time, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who both had less than a year remaining on their contracts, chose to stay with the Reds.
Alexander-Arnold's call to leave with little financial reward to the club he started at infuriated the Anfield faithful. That frustration was made clear tonight when boos rained down on the right-back upon his return to Merseyside.
Peter Schmeichel thought that the response from Liverpool fans was "annoying" and "disgusting in a way." Jamie Carragher, who spent his entire senior career at Liverpool, stood by the Anfield crowd.
Carragher told CBS Sports: "I don't agree with what you've said there. I think the supporters decide what type of reception he gets and the reason why the reception will be poor tonight, which I would expect, is because Trent throughout those 20 years, as I've said, has played the position of; 'I'm a supporter on the pitch'.
"So them supporters who are all in this stadium wouldn't leave on a free transfer to go play for Real Madrid. Now, okay, it's his career, he gets one career, he's a young man, he's been brilliantly successful at the club.
Ex-Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold smiles on the pitch at Anfield.
Ex-Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was booed on his return to Anfield.
View 2 Images
"But what he's said since he's got in the team, if that were to be true, and Liverpool is the only team for him and he wants to be their captain, he wants to be a legend here... You don't leave when you've just won the league title and you've got the opportunity to go win more trophies with your club.
"And then you join a club who's beat you twice in a Champions League final and they're the club you want to compete for to maybe win more Champions League finals.
"So, I totally understand the reaction of the supporters. And a lot of it is because they feel like they have been hoodwinked a little bit by Trent throughout the process of him being at the club.
"And also in the last year, where he hasn't done any media interviews, he's not got involved in anything where there was talk around obviously him, Salah and Van Dijk.
"[Mohamed] Salah and [Virgil] Van Dijk were coming out constantly in the press saying they wanted to stay.
"Trent was very silent on the issue - and that's where the frustration comes for the supporters."
Blood Red - November 2025 issue on sale now
Dive into the heart of Liverpool FC with Blood Red, the ECHO’s monthly magazine packed with exclusive interviews, expert analysis, and nostalgic stories. This edition features The Coral’s James Skelly on his love for the Reds, Chris Kirkland’s powerful mental health journey, and David James’ take on Alisson’s place among LFC legends.
Plus, tactical insights from Andy Dunn and Andrew Beasley, Kop banner creator Peter Carney, and interviews with celebrity fans Chris McAusland and Will Arnett. The ultimate read for every Liverpool supporter.