I was on the Kop during Trent Alexander-Arnold booing - it raises fresh Liverpool question

As far as half times go, the Kop concourse on Sunday was something else. The newly confirmed champions of England were two goals to the good against bridesmaids Arsenal, and supporters were hellbent on creating a party atmosphere.

With a seemingly unassailable lead secured, fans were in high spirits and a passionate rendition of a Federico Chiesa song - you remember him - was given an almighty run-out amid the type of scenes usually reserved for cup finals. Liverpool are in party mode and it won't stop until the trophy parade bus finally grinds to a halt to signal the end of the next May Bank Holiday weekend.

But this particular Sunday afternoon party was about to take a bit of a grim turn, and in hindsight, it was entirely avoidable. Whether he likes it or not, Trent Alexander-Arnold has become a pantomime villain. The announcement of his Liverpool exit at the end of his contract next month has gone down like a lead balloon.

One wonders what was the thinking behind the timing of finally showing his hand regarding his future, but if it was designed to give Anfield's home-grown star a terrific send-off, I think that is looking extremely ambitious at this point.

There was plenty of debate pre-match around exactly what type of reception Alexander-Arnold may get if he played any part in the game against Arsenal. The resounding prediction was that he would definitely not get away scot-free without some sort of negative response.

That it was as bad as it actually was, however, tells you just how poorly his decision to run down his contract has been received. I can't remember ever booing a former Liverpool player - the widely despised El Hadji Diouf maybe - let alone an existing one.

That didn't change on Sunday either, as I preferred to just keep quiet on the matter. I certainly didn't feel compelled to sing his name, that's for sure.

Arne Slot had hardly covered his regular right-back in glory during Friday's press conference. It was perhaps not his intention, but the Dutchman's comment about not telling people how they should feel about the exiting star arguably helped pave the way for a pretty unprecedented display of disapproval, the like of which has seldom been seen at Anfield before.

Slot himself could probably be forgiven for being curious about how the crowd might react to Alexander-Arnold's introduction, but a bit like sticking your hand in a fire, he surely instantly regretted it. There can be little doubt that the sideshow he had inadvertently introduced affected Liverpool's performance and maybe cost his side the win as a consequence.

The league title might be wrapped up, but the Reds' boss will surely not want a repeat of that circus. Can he even consider playing Alexander-Arnold again or has his Liverpool career effectively already ended?

The situation has the potential to get even more awkward before the season is done. None more so than when Liverpool are officially crowned after facing Crystal Palace in the final game of the season.

That day is all about long-overdue celebration and Alexander-Arnold will rightfully be part of it. But what happens when he gets his medal, or lifts the trophy himself, or partakes in the celebrations on the pitch?

Had he been planning to do a farewell speech? That doesn't feel like a good idea. The final day of the season needs to be all about the team and nothing else. A celebration that marks a phenomenal debut season for Arne Slot, with a record-equalling 20th league title secured with matches to spare.

It can not become about individuals and as bad-tempered as this drawn-out departure has become, it might be best if everyone rises above it and just concentrates exclusively on the glory of becoming Premier League champions.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a magnificent servant for Liverpool Football Club but he's chosen a different path. Only the years that follow will determine whether it was the right one.