Just ahead of his debut with Real Madrid at the Club World Cup, Trent Alexander-Arnold found himself the subject of unexpected shade—this time from Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
The incident was sparked by a seemingly minor detail in a social media video Trent posted, documenting his journey to Madrid. The cinematic montage included travel shots, a private jet, and him juggling the ball at his official presentation. But it was the airport he departed from that caught attention.
Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport reposted the video, highlighting that Trent actually flew out of Manchester Airport—not Liverpool. That simple observation carried weight, especially paired with a snake emoji, a symbol widely associated with betrayal. The implication stung, particularly for Liverpool fans already upset by Trent’s free transfer move to a longtime rival city.
The emoji choice drew widespread backlash, prompting the airport to revise the post—replacing the snake with an eye-roll emoji. But by then, the original post had gone viral, with screenshots flooding social media.
The dig by a local institution like Liverpool Airport struck a nerve. For many in the city, including local businesses like Popworld (which had earlier banned Trent), the message reflected a shared sense of disappointment and betrayal over his departure.
Sports outlets quickly picked up the story. Goal.com noted the airport’s “brutal five-word dig,” while SportBible underscored the irony of such a label coming from within Liverpool itself. Camel Live provided deeper context, linking the snake emoji to the historic rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester.
Clips of the moment spread rapidly on TikTok, with fans reacting to both the original post and the edited version.
As Trent settles into life at Real Madrid and prepares for his Club World Cup debut, the episode adds another layer to the narrative around his departure. Was it just a cheeky jab, or a sign of how personal his move felt to his hometown?
For some, the airport’s post crossed a line, stepping beyond what’s expected of a neutral service provider. For others, it echoed the collective frustration of a city that felt let down by one of its own.
Fan reactions remain mixed. While some dismiss the controversy—“WHO CARES NOW”—others remain bitter: “He’s a snake so who cares!!!”
Either way, as the tournament kicks off, the spotlight on Trent will extend well beyond the football pitch
