Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was booed by a number of fans at Anfield during the 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.
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Alexander-Arnold booed by Liverpool fans
Alexander-Arnold was jeered by sections of the crowd when he came on as a 67th-minute substitute.
It was his first appearance since announcing he won’t renew his contract with Liverpool, with a move to Real Madrid expected this summer.
However, many fans applauded the 26-year-old at the final whistle.
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson said it’s “not nice” to hear a longtime teammate being booed and praised Alexander-Arnold’s legacy at the club.
“Disappointed to lose a good friend, he’s an amazing player and an amazing person. He has pushed me through and made me a better player,” Robertson said.
“His legacy will always be there, he’s done so much for this club. He will be missed for me as one of my best friends in the game, we’ve done it all together. He’s took me to levels I never knew existed. It hasn’t been an easy one for Trent but he has made the decision.”
“It was not nice to see him get booed but you can’t tell people how to feel. That’s how I feel about it and I’m not going to tell anyone else how to feel about it.”
Slot defends Alexander-Arnold
Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Arne Slot noted the mixed fan reaction and said Alexander-Arnold could find comfort in the positive support.
“There were people who were not so happy, there were people who were happy for him,” Slot said.
“They clapped for him. A few of them booed.”
“I will always back my players, the ones I lead and wear the red shirt.”
“It would not be fair to focus only on the Liverpool fans that booed. If they want to, it’s fine but there were a lot of people that were really positive about him as well.”
Nonetheless, Slot said he would have no problem selecting Alexander-Arnold for Liverpool’s final two games.
The reigning Premier League champion will play against Brighton and Crystal Palace.
“The thing I consider is I want to win a game of football, and if we think we can win with Trent, I owe it to his teammates and to the fans, because they hired me to win as many games of football as possible,” Slot said.
“And if I think there’s a better chance of winning with Trent, then I will pick him.”
“If I think it’s a distraction or whatever can happen for us not to play a good game of football, then I might make another decision.”
