Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has delivered a scathing assessment of the behaviour of fans at Anfield earlier this season.
The German was discussing Liverpool’s prospects for the rest of the season, and came onto a controversial topic on which he has quite a strong stance.
He thinks the biggest difference for Liverpool this season, and a huge reason behind the Reds’ struggles, is losing Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid.
He believes the right-back’s impact has been understated and that the reception he received upon returning to Anfield was nothing short of shameful.
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Didi Hamann highly critical of Trent Alexander-Arnold treatment
You’d have to be the stubbornest of supporters to deny that the Scouser’s departure hasn’t impacted Liverpool.
One of the best playmakers in the sport was a weapon that set the Reds apart from their opposition.
Appearing on ESPN, Hamann makes his argument: “I think the player that’s not talked about enough is Alexander-Arnold because I think he was a playmaker from right back. He was probably the best passer in the Premier League. One of the most gifted and technical players.
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“In [Jeremie] Frimpong and Conor Bradley, they’ve got two players who are not technical players. They’re runners. On the left-hand side, Kerkez has struggled, and I think the importance of Alexander-Arnold has been underestimated also for the way he left, which I didn’t understand.”
Hamann wasn’t done there. He went on to express his disappointment in the Anfield faithful for the reception they gave their academy star when Liverpool hosted Madrid in the Champions League.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid shakes hands with Liverpool manager Arne Slot at full-time following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield.
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He continues: “The way the Liverpool fans welcomed him when he played with Real Madrid at Anfield, I think it was disgusting. I think it was shameful the way they received him.
“I think he’s a player who’s really been missing because he was like a playmaker from right back, and they haven’t got that player at the moment, and this is why they, you know, the things haven’t been coming together.”
There are plenty of other factors at play in Liverpool’s decline — Mo Salah is not the player he was last season, the defence has looked even more brittle than when the Madrid star was the starting right-back, and Arne Slot hasn’t coached as effectively as in his first season at the club.
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Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes watching on during the Reds' Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones).
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But Alexander-Arnold’s creative impact shouldn’t be understated. There are too many games where Liverpool struggle to break teams down, and to think that wouldn’t be aided by arguably the best passing defender of all time is facetious.
As for the reception he got, it’s a bit harsh from Hamann to call it shameful. There is a competitive factor to consider. If he comes back to Liverpool not kitted out for a Champions League rival, it’s likely a different reaction he gets.
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