LIVERPOOL — For a boy who grew up in West Derby and wore the red shirt with pride since he was six, the sound of boos ringing out at Anfield on Sunday hit hard.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, the once untouchable poster boy of Liverpool Football Club, was jeered by parts of the home crowd as he came on in the 67th minute during a tense 2-2 draw against Arsenal. The reaction followed confirmation that the England international will leave the club at the end of the season, with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid all but certain.
The mood at Anfield was conflicted. Some fans applauded. Others voiced their frustration — not necessarily at the player, but at the painful nature of the goodbye.
“It’s not for me to tell supporters how to feel,” said Liverpool manager Arne Slot after the match. “They care deeply. That’s why they react. But as manager, I look at what happens on the pitch — and Trent made a difference today.”
Alexander-Arnold, now 26, has made more than 350 appearances for Liverpool, collecting medals along the way — a Premier League title, Champions League, FA Cup and Club World Cup among them. His influence on the pitch has been undeniable, especially with his pinpoint deliveries and leadership in recent seasons. Yet his decision to leave on a free transfer has clearly struck a nerve.
‘He’s One of Us’
Teammate Andy Robertson was visibly emotional when asked about the crowd’s response.
“We’ve shared a dressing room for nearly a decade,” he said. “To hear that reaction — it’s gutting. He’s one of us. I get that emotions are high, but he’s given his heart to this club.”
Former players were less forgiving of the jeers. Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, called the reaction “disgraceful,” while ex-United rival Rio Ferdinand said he was “stunned” by the treatment of “a lad who’s poured everything into the badge.”
Supporters online were equally divided. Some argued the club should have done more to keep him. Others felt betrayed by the timing — with Champions League qualification hanging in the balance and no clear replacement lined up.
A Rift in the Kop?
While Anfield is no stranger to farewells — Steven Gerrard, Luis Suárez, Philippe Coutinho — the tension surrounding Alexander-Arnold’s departure feels more personal. Unlike others who left for big-money moves or in search of trophies, Alexander-Arnold has been the club — its academy graduate, its vice-captain, its Scouser.
“It’s different when it’s one of your own,” said lifelong fan Sarah Doyle, 41, outside the stadium. “We raised him. So yeah, it hurts more.”
For now, Slot remains focused on finishing the season strongly. Liverpool face Crystal Palace at home on 25 May, potentially marking Alexander-Arnold’s last outing at Anfield in red. Slot has not confirmed whether the defender will start.
“He’s still one of our best players,” Slot said. “As long as he’s here, I’ll pick him if I believe he helps us win.”
What Comes Next
Alexander-Arnold has not yet spoken publicly about the boos or his reasons for choosing Madrid, though sources close to the player suggest he was seeking a new challenge after nearly two decades at the same club. Real Madrid, for their part, have made no official announcement but are believed to be preparing a five-year deal.
As Liverpool eyes the future, the club must now face not just the technical gap his departure will leave, but the emotional one too. For many, Sunday wasn’t just about a result — it was the beginning of a long goodbye.
Will Anfield forgive and remember him as the hometown hero he was? Or will the echo of boos linger longer than his legacy deserves?
That, like so much in football, will come down to time — and trophies.
