Trent Alexander-Arnold was booed by Liverpool fans as he made a miserable return to his former club with Real Madrid in the Champions League and Manchester United icon Roy Keane has weighed in
Patrick Austen-Hardy Senior Sports Journalist and Neil Docking
11:39, 06 Nov 2025Updated 11:39, 06 Nov 2025
Manchester United legend Roy Keane slammed Liverpool fans
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Manchester United legend Roy Keane slammed Liverpool fans
Roy Keane has slammed Liverpool fans and suggested they showed a lack of "class" by booing Trent Alexander-Arnold upon his Anfield return.
Arne Slot's men triumphed 1-0 against Real Madrid in their Champions League clash at Anfield. Alexis Mac Allister's header proved decisive in securing crucial three points for the Reds. Yet the evening's standout moment arguably came when Alexander-Arnold entered as a substitute to a hostile reception from the home faithful.
Many Liverpool supporters felt betrayed after the homegrown star and vice-captain left the Premier League champions for a minimal fee during the summer transfer window as his contract was set to expire, despite previously proclaiming he dreamed of one day captaining his boyhood club and never saw himself leaving, reports the Mirror.
While the Reds managed to pocket £8million for his departure due to Los Blancos' eagerness to field him in the Club World Cup, supporters remained bitter about his exit, with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher explaining the stance of many on Merseyside.
Witnessing the defender's hostile homecoming, Keane launched a scathing attack on the fans who showed such animosity. Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Manchester United legend Keane remarked: "The reputation of Liverpool fans is that they are loyal and a level up from most supporters.
Trent Alexander-Arnold did not receive a warm reception on his return to Liverpool
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Trent Alexander-Arnold did not receive a warm reception on his return to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
"But I think for any player to go back, to boo him, people pay their money to go and that's fine, you're not going to argue with supporters....
"Liverpool fans will obviously think, 'We are the biggest club in the world' like all supporters. I'm not saying you give him the thumbs up for leaving you. But why would you go to a match and boo a lad who has played 260/270 games, stats are fantastic? You don't have to wish him luck in Madrid.
"But to go to the effort of thinking, 'I'm going to boo this kid' as a local lad and Liverpool fans, for some reason, think they've got class. No, Liverpool fans have to have a good look at themselves.
"The beauty with Trent over the last year or two is that he has said very little, he's not been one to say, 'Oh I'd love to stay here.'"
"He has actually kept his mouth shut and sometimes that's not a bad thing to do. How many times do you see players say, 'Oh I love this club' and then they leave. He kept it cool."
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Following the fixture, Slot heaped praise on Alexander-Arnold's contributions during their previous campaign together, where the full-back netted four times and provided 10 assists as the Reds claimed the Premier League title in Slot's debut season. The Dutch manager commented: "He [Alexander-Arnold] lost so that is tough.
"I said something like 'keep going' to him. I honestly didn't know exactly what I said to him. He has been special to this club, he has been special to me. And he is a special human being.
"So, for me to give him a hug is something I will do every single time I see him."