I've never seen anything like it at Anfield when Trent Alexander-Arnold came on for Liverpool
Some Liverpool fans booed Trent Alexander-Arnold when he came on as a substitute in their 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday after the boyhood Red announced he would be leaving the club as a free agent
OneLiverpool fan says he has “never seen anything like” the hostile reception Trent Alexander-Arnold received when he was booed by the "majority" of the Anfield crowd against Arsenal. The defender finally confirmed last week he would be leaving Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of the season, bringing months of speculation to an end.
The Liverpudlian, 26, is expected to join La Liga giants Real Madrid, a team that has twice defeated Liverpool in Champions League finals in recent years. And the reality of Alexander-Arnold leaving his childhood club without a transfer fee—after joining them at just six years old—has sparked outrage among some Liverpool supporters.
The feeling towards him from some was palpable when Alexander-Arnold was substituted on to make his 373rd appearance for the Reds, with boos ringing out from the stands. That sentiment was re-echoed when Alexander-Arnold applauded the Kop at full-time only to receive a mix of jeers and applause.
A Liverpool fan named Ryan called into BBC 5 Live Sport in the aftermath to condemn the booing, after presenter Robbie Savage described the home fans' actions as "terrible". Ryan even stated that the negative atmosphere contributed to the Premier League champions squandering their lead to Arsenal as the match finished 2-2.
The Reds supporter said: “Sadly, I’ve got to speak about this. When Trent came on, I’ve never witnessed this in my life, the place went wild. I personally had a confrontation with someone that sits two rows behind me, they were booing.
“There was a lot! I don’t know what it was like on TV. It wasn’t mixed, I’d say 70/30. Every touch was booed and you could see the players, it wasn’t just Trent (who was impacted).
“They’re his friends! They’re his team-mates! They’re going to react, it’s not just Trent that’s going to react.
“We’re a football team trying to win a football match. I don't understand the fans that were booing because it was always going to have a negative response.
“You don’t boo Trent because you’re booing the team he’s playing for. That adversely affected us on the pitch.”
As Alexander-Arnold was waiting to come on, Steven Gerrard chants echoed around the stadium, seemingly highlighting the difference between Trent's actions and the loyalty of Liverpool's revered former captain and boyhood fan.
In the midst of the jeers, fans also sang the name of Alexander-Arnold’s successor, Conor Bradley, and a far-from-complimentary song about Real Madrid.
Reds star Andy Robertson, who spent the best part of a decade playing on the opposite flank to Alexander-Arnold, later admitted that it was “not nice” to hear the reaction.
"But you can't tell people how to feel," the Scotland international pointed out. "That's how I feel about it and I'm not going to tell anyone else how to feel about it.
"Disappointed to lose a good friend, he's an amazing player and an amazing person. He has pushed me through and made me a better player. His legacy will always be there, he's done so much for this club.
"He will be missed for me as one of my best friends in the game. We've done it all together. He's taken me to levels I never knew existed. It hasn't been an easy one for Trent but he has made the decision."