Trent Alexander-Arnold made his return to Anfield with Liverpool beating Real Madrid 1-0 in their Champions League clash.
When the right-back made the move in the summer, everyone knew that the Reds would be drawn against Los Blancos.
And, even though he did achieve a lot during his time at Anfield, due to the way he chose to leave, the relationship between himself and the fans has been ruined.
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Although some fans may have stood and clapped the Liverpool academy graduate when he came on, the chorus of boos around Anfield was deafening.
Pundit Robbie Fowler and Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
And, after the game ended, Jude Bellingham shared his thoughts on Alexander-Arnold’s reception and why he actually thinks Liverpool fans were booing him.
Jude Bellingham thinks Liverpool fans were trying to put Trent Alexander-Arnold off rather than their actual feelings towards him
There’s no denying that Alexander-Arnold is an incredible talent, but the way he left Liverpool has made fans see him completely differently.
Before he chose to join Real Madrid, most fans would’ve likely wanted to keep him around, but since he exited, Conor Bradley has had to step up to the plate at Liverpool.
It wasn’t a surprise to see Alexander-Arnold start on the bench against his former club, and the reception he received upon his return was warranted in the eyes of fans.
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And now, while speaking to Amazon Prime Sports, Bellingham has shared why he thinks Liverpool fans may have been booing the Englishman.
“It’s one of those things in football, I think the fans booing isn’t a reflection of how they feel about him,” he said.
“I think [it’s] more trying to give their team the edge and try and maybe throw him off a little bit.
“I’m sure they’re appreciative of what he did for the club, and obviously, he loves the club a lot, I know that from just speaking with him, really.
“So yeah, it’s one of those things that can happen in football.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold should have never left Liverpool in the first place
Over the last few years, Alexander-Arnold was key to the way that Liverpool played.
The Englishman and Andy Robertson were two of the best full-backs in the top flight for several years running, and even though Milos Kerkez was brought in, the Scotsman is still Slot’s best choice.
Although most players come and go, Alexander-Arnold was an academy graduate, which meant that his Liverpool exit hurt fans massively.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid CF jogs during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at AnfieldMD4
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Most felt betrayed by their vice-captain, and even though he may have thought the grass was greener at the Bernabeu, he could’ve easily become a Liverpool legend if he chose to stay put.
Indeed, it’s still early in the season, but the fact that he’s been benched for the last three games shows that, in reality, he may have been better staying put.