Liverpool fans booed Trent Alexander-Arnold on his return to Anfieldplaceholder image
Liverpool fans booed Trent Alexander-Arnold on his return to Anfield | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Trent Alexander-Arnold was heavily booed upon his return to Liverpool this week
The right-back was named on the bench as Xabi Alonso’s side faced the Reds in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Liverpool secured a 1-0 win in front of a lively home crowd, thanks to Alexis Mac Allister’s header just after the hour mark.
Alexander-Arnold was brought on late in the game, replacing Arda Guler as Real Madrid searched for an equaliser. As the 27-year-old was introduced, boos and jeers rang out from a crowd that used to adoringly chant his name.
Every touch he took was booed, which Alonso said he was prepared for.
Jamie Carragher sums up Trent Alexander-Arnold boos
Jamie Carragher defended the Anfield crowd’s response to seeing Alexander-Arnold again. Ahead of the match, he told CBS Sports that he expected the full-back to be met with a ‘poor’ reception, as negative feelings continue to linger.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Why did Liverpool fans boo Trent Alexander-Arnold?
“Whatever way I'm received, is the decision of the fans,” Alexander-Arnold said before his return to Anfield.
The emotions still sit raw with the supporters, who have felt blindsided by the nature of his departure. While Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were frequently vocal about their contract situation, Alexander-Arnold remained silent, allowing the rumours to build up and surround his position at the club.
The right-back was on course to become a club legend like Steven Gerrard. He had often expressed his desire to become the Liverpool captain and said in a 2019 interview that he couldn’t imagine ever changing clubs.
“I have always been a Liverpool player, Liverpool has always been my home. I have never thought about changing clubs.
“I always thought Liverpool was destined to be my club. When I grew up, the dream was always to play for Liverpool. Now I am living the dream and I can't see that changing.”
The dramatic change of heart happened after winning the Premier League with his boyhood club. Fans were left unhappy with the way his transfer played out and felt lied to and betrayed by the dishonesty of it all.
Leaving for next to nothing - Madrid paid an £8.4m fee to sign the defender early - also rubbed supporters up the wrong way, especially as Liverpool could have pocketed a massive profit.
Alexander-Arnold also surprised fans with his confident Spanish speaking during his unveiling at Real Madrid, suggesting he had been learning the language behind the scenes while failing to address any rumours of his exit.
Supporters feel they deserved a lot more from the situation and are now treating him with the disrespect they feel was shown to them by someone once adored.
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