Liverpool supporters aimed pointed chants at Trent Alexander-Arnold as he came on as a substitute during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield. The right-back, who announced he will leave the club on a free transfer this summer, was greeted with jeers from sections of the home crowd.
Fans sang “there’s only one Conor Bradley” and chanted the club’s iconic song about Steven Gerrard as Alexander-Arnold prepared to enter the pitch. Bradley, an academy graduate, is expected to replace Alexander-Arnold as first-choice right-back, while Gerrard is revered for rejecting moves to rival clubs during his 710-game Liverpool career.
The 26-year-old’s decision to depart after joining the club at age six has sparked accusations of disloyalty. He is the only one of three key players with expiring contracts to leave, with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk both signing new deals.
Manager Arne Slot defended his decision to continue selecting Alexander-Arnold, saying: “I want to win a game of football and if we think we can win with Trent, I owe it to his team-mates and to the fans… I think Trent showed today why I brought him in.”
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher criticised the booing, stating: “I don’t believe any player putting on that red shirt… should be being booed.” He suggested Alexander-Arnold may have played his final game for the club to avoid a “circus”.
