Sections of the Liverpool fanbase have been warned that their recent behaviour towards Trent Alexander-Arnold could come back to haunt the club in the future, should they want to re-sign the player
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Arne Slot, Manger of Liverpool, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield
Arne Slot has been told he may struggle to lure Trent Alexander-Arnold back to Liverpool in future
(Image: Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Former Premier League enforcer Stuart Pearce has hinted Arne Slot's hopes of luring Trent Alexander-Arnold back to Liverpool might be dashed already. And 'Psycho' reckons the behaviour of certain Liverpool fans could be the cause.
Academy product Alexander-Arnold was met with a chilly reception from some parts of the Anfield crowd when he replaced Conor Bradley in Sunday's 2-2 stalemate with Arsenal. And Pearce pointed out the boos directed at the homegrown talent could end up being a big regret.
The consensus is that the right-back is bound for Real Madrid after announcing his departure from Liverpool after 21 years on their books. However, Pearce suggests that should an opportunity to re-sign him arise, the negative reaction from certain fans might make Alexander-Arnold reconsider returning.
"I thought if ever there's a group of fans that won't boo him, it will be the Liverpool fans. I thought they would respect what he's done for the club," the ex-Nottingham Forest man said on the Seaman Says podcast, sponsored by Betway. "And to be fair it was a mix and match, wasn't it? There was some cheering him and clapping him, and some booing.
"But I find it quite sad for what he's done for the club. What you've got to understand as well, if he goes out to Spain and it doesn't work out, the last thing he'll remember is the reaction from some of the crowd."
"As a manager, Arne Slot might want to tempt him back at some stage in a few years' time if it doesn't work out. It doesn't do the manager any good in the long run because he might think the relationship now might be slightly tainted."
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Trent Alexander-Arnold sat on the substitutes bench during Liverpool's game against Arsenal
Alexander-Arnold was recently booed by some Liverpool fans in one of his last appearances for the club
(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images )
Liverpool fans are disgruntled because Alexander-Arnold is leaving on a free transfer after turning down several contract renewal offers. And his departure without a transfer fee has left many feeling short-changed given his value.
However, Pearce pointed out to those detractors that the West Derby-born talent "cost them nothing, and he's repaid that tenfold." It's also worth noting there are numerous players who join for hefty sums and contribute very little by comparison.
Given Alexander-Arnold's clear love of Liverpool, it's not unthinkable he might want to return one day. He has time on his side at just 26, but the chances of a future reunion may have been compromised by recent events.
"You never know, and that's what you've got to be careful of," added Pearce. "In a year's time, if he's got the choice to come back to Liverpool [and] all of a sudden he thinks, 'Well, you know what? That when I left Liverpool, that's on my mind still.'
Stuart Pearce on the Simon Says podcast, brought to you by Betway
Stuart Pearce believes the England international has been mistreated by some Reds fans
(Image: Simon Says podcast)
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"It just surprised me with Liverpool fans because I thought they had a bit more class than that. They're normally really supportive, and you won't taint their mind on what they see and what they think is right, and what certain individuals have done for the club and how loyal they are to their players."
It's nothing new for English players to struggle when they go abroad, with Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate being two examples at Real alone. And Los Blancos are in a state of transition, with Carlo Ancelotti poised to depart after failing to win a trophy this term.
Liverpool still have two Premier League matches to play this term and wrap up their season at Anfield against Crystal Palace on May 25. But after the reception he received in the match against Arsenal, Alexander-Arnold might not be too eager to make what could be his final appearance for the Reds, wary of further backlash from the stands.