Jamie Carragher said he disagreed with the Liverpool fans who booed Trent Alexander-Arnold following his introduction during the second half of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Alexander-Arnold started the game on the bench, with Conor Bradley getting the nod from the start, but Arne Slot made the decision to introduce him after around 65 minutes.
The right-back entered the field along with Darwin Nunez and Alexis Mac Allister, but it was clear who the boos were for after a week of negativity surrounding Alexander-Arnold following the announcement of his impending departure.
Chants of “there’s only one Conor Bradley” as well as a chant about former skipper Steven Gerrard, who famously stayed at Liverpool throughout his top-level career, also greeted Alexander-Arnold’s introduction.
Carragher was on punditry duty for the game and said he didn’t like the reception that Alexander-Arnold got. “That is the story of the game and what everyone is going to be talking about, the reaction of the supporters.
“I was surprised by how many [were booing],” Carragher said on Sky Sports. “When there is a crowd of 60,000, there is undoubtedly going to be some people unhappy with the situation. I have said that is understandable. I said it when he came on at Leicester, any player putting on that red shirt to play for this club should not be booed. I understand there is some ill-feeling and a lot of people outside of Liverpool don’t get that; I do, but booing one of your own players is not for me.”
After Andy Robertson voiced his support for Alexander-Arnold after the game, Carragher added: “I think teammates in a dressing room would normally rally around you 99 percent of the time. I know Liverpool fans won’t want to hear this, but most players in that dressing room probably want to play for Real Madrid. I have been in that dressing room where players leave for Barcelona or Real Madrid. You feel like supporters fall for it like these players love us and then they move on. But players don’t think like that. A lot of those players will be thinking the same as Trent.”
Alexander-Arnold announced his departure with a statement on Monday, writing: “After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season. This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.
“I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No.20.
“This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.
“But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.
“I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club, and I hope you feel like I’ve given back to you during my time here. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody – my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff and our incredible supporters – for the last 20 years.
“I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never, ever take for granted the special moments I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all. My love for this club will never die.”
