Trent Alexander-Arnold was met with a hostile reception at Anfield on Tuesday night as he came on as a second-half substitute for Real Madrid in the Champions League. The 27-year-old, who left Liverpool in June after rejecting a new contract, was loudly booed by large sections of the home crowd.
The right-back’s every touch was jeered, while chants of ‘Steve Gerrard, Gerrard’ rang out from the stands. Some fans did rise to applaud him, but the prevailing mood was one of displeasure. Earlier, a mural near the stadium had been defaced with the word “rat”.
Before the match, Alexander-Arnold laid flowers with a handwritten message at the memorial area of Anfield, paying tribute to his former teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in July alongside his brother Andre Silva.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he had “no clue” how the player would be received. “I can only tell you what reception he gets from me,” Slot stated. “I have great memories of the player and human, my vice-captain. He will get a warm welcome from me.”
Alexander-Arnold had told Prime Video Sport he would “always love the club” regardless of the fans’ reaction. “Whatever way I’m received is the decision of the fans,” he said. “No matter what, my feeling won’t change towards Liverpool.” He also confirmed he would not celebrate if he scored against the Reds.
