Former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has claimed that some Liverpool fans are "misguided" when it comes to criticism of the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Having concluded the season with the Anfield side, Alexander-Arnold will now join Real Madrid with his move to Spain likely to be confirmed imminently. It remains to be seen whether or not Liverpool will allow him to go early enough to represent Los Blancos at the upcoming Club World Cup.
"Alexander-Arnold has given everything for Liverpool, and helped the team achieve really momentous things," Aguero said. The Liverpool number 66 has now won two league titles and the Champions League with his boyhood side.
"I can understand that fans feel sorry for the loss, but calling this a betrayal seems very misguided," Aguero insisted. "Players should be trusted to make decisions about their own future."
While Alexander-Arnold was booed by a vocal portion of Liverpool fans against Arsenal, he was applauded when he came on at half-time against Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.
Both Arne Slot and Jurgen Klopp had urged Liverpool supporters to give Alexander-Arnold a warm send-off, though some are still frustrated that he is choosing to leave — especially as a free agent.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield (Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)
"To get the reception that I got means more than anything to me," Alexander-Arnold said on the pitch at the final whistle. "I've played hundreds of games for the club but I've never felt more loved and more cared for than today.
"I didn't know what to expect stepping out at Anfield today after what happened a few weeks ago. But I wanted to play for the club one more time, and I said that to the manager and he trusted me to go in at half-time.
"From the bottom of my heart, I hope that one day, the fans and supporters of this club are able to recognize the hard work and everything that I've done for the team, because there wasn't a day, a minute or a second that I didn't think about the team, from six years old to 26 years old."
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Real Madrid has moved to sign a number of players at the end of their contracts in recent times. Kylian Mbappe moved to the Bernabeu last summer and Antonio Rudiger before that.
"Alexander-Arnold’s relationship with the Real Madrid fans is the kind of thing you can’t plan for," Aguero, speaking to Stake, continued. "You build it as you go.
"Alexander-Arnold has got the stuff to play for Real Madrid. He will have to adapt to La Liga, but if he does his part, I’m sure the fans will soon warm up to him."
Liverpool.com says: Alexander-Arnold wanted something different and to try something new. It is hard to criticize him for that, though it is simultaneously up to Reds fans how they feel about seeing a local lad depart.