TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD was loudly booed by Liverpool fans after coming on against Arsenal.
The defender this week confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season upon the expiration of his contract.
Alexander-Arnold was brought on in the 66th minute as Arne Slot decided to rest some key players.
But his introduction was met with a wave of boos from the Anfield crowd.
The Kop had already sung club legend Steven Gerrard’s name when they saw Alexander-Arnold getting ready to come on.
Gerrard famously stuck with his hometown club in his heyday despite advances from Chelsea.
While there were also cries in support of the player he replaced, with fans singing: “There’s only one Conor Bradley!”
Alexander-Arnold covered his mouth as he entered the field of play, and the chorus of boos echoed around the stadium every time the right-back touched the ball.
To make matters worse, Alexander-Arnold made a mistake shortly after coming on, playing Mikel Merino onside as the Arsenal star headed in an equaliser after Martin Odegaard struck the post.
Alexander-Arnold looked glum as he completed a lap around the pitch applauding fans following the 2-2 draw, with many supporters still booing.
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After the boos began, Gary Neville remarked: “Wow. That is not pleasant for him.”
Team-mate Andy Robertson stuck up for his pal after the match, saying: “I’m disappointed to lose my best mate in the game, We’ve done it all together.
“He’s an amazing player and an amazing player. He’s made me a better player, and that’s from the bottom of my heart.
“He’s took me to levels I never knew existed and kept pushing me through the good years.
“His legacy at this club is there for everyone to see. The trophies he’s won, the moments he has had in history will always be there.
“It’s not nice to see your friend get booed and it wasn’t nice, but we can’t tell people how to act.”
Alexander-Arnold, 26, said his goodbyes to the fans this week in an emotional farewell video.
He appears to be set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer – a move that has infuriated many Kopites.
The England star has even been banned from two venues in Liverpool – Curry’s and Popworld.
Real Madrid have officially begun negotiations to sign Alexander-Arnold in time for the Club World Cup, and have offered Liverpool £1million to let him leave early.
It’s not nice to see your friend get booed and it wasn’t nice, but we can’t tell people how to act.
Andy Robertson
Liverpool could play hardball and ask for a further £500,000, despite having to pay the defender £180,000-a-week until his deal expires.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has insisted that the anger towards his exit is “justified”.
He said: “Liverpool are in the business of winning more Premier League and Champions League titles.
“Anything which undermines that is a threat.
“You may not agree, or believe that competitive attitude to the loss of a star player is justified, but it is what makes Liverpool the successful club it is, and it is no different than what you would expect at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Manchester United.
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“By leaving Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold is making it harder for his own club to win its 21st league title and seventh European Cup.
“That is bound to stir emotions.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
