Trent Alexander-Arnold was met with boos from some Liverpool fans after coming off the bench during the team’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal. It was his first appearance since announcing his departure from the club at the end of the season, with a move to Real Madrid confirmed. The reaction from the Anfield crowd was mixed—some jeered while others offered support.
Following the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was seen speaking to Alexander-Arnold. He later clarified that he simply congratulated the right-back on winning the Premier League title, praising the team’s overall performance and hard work, rather than offering words about the negative fan reaction.
Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool after two decades, during which he helped the club win eight major trophies including two Premier League titles and the Champions League. His exit is different from that of teammates Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, who recently extended their contracts. Some fans are upset he’s leaving for free, especially to a major rival like Madrid.
New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot addressed the situation in his post-match comments. He acknowledged that it’s tough for Alexander-Arnold to leave, but emphasized that the club respects his decision. Slot also noted that while the boos were noticeable, they were mixed with cheers—particularly when the defender stepped up for a free-kick, which many fans encouraged. Slot said it’s unclear how Alexander-Arnold personally felt, but it may not have been entirely negative.
He added that crowd noise can be deceiving, as boos often seem louder than applause. Slot also mentioned the support shown for Steven Gerrard and young defender Conor Bradley, who impressed during the game despite one costly moment. Ultimately, Slot emphasized that fans have the right to voice their opinions, and that the situation wasn’t entirely one-sided.
