Premier League legend Rio Ferdinand expressed his surprise at the reception Trent Alexander-Arnold was given as he came off the bench against Arsenal on Sunday.
The right-back was named among the substitutes at Anfield, with Conor Bradley handed a start, but was called on just past the hour mark to replace the Northern Ireland youngster.
Boos rang out around Anfield, as did loud chants for Bradley and Steven Gerrard, which were clearly indirectly aimed at Alexander-Arnold: Bradley is viewed as a possible long-term replacement at right-back, while Gerrard spent all of his top-level career at Liverpool. having rejected advances from other top clubs.
Former Manchester United defender Ferdinand took to social media to give his view on the matter. He wrote: “I can’t believe Liverpool fans booing one of their own. I understand that some of you guys are not happy with his decision etc BUT to boo Trent Alexander-Arnold after he has won the lot with you is baffling! Didn’t cost you a penny.”
Jamie Carragher, an ex-England teammate of Ferdinand, also said he did not agree with Alexander-Arnold being booed. “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.”
(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)
Liverpool left-back Robertson stopped short of denouncing Liverpool’s supporters, but spoke glowingly of his fellow full-back. “There’s a lot of emotion around it,” Robertson told Sky Sports.
“I think it’s crucial in these moments that I don’t tell you how to feel and you don’t tell me how to feel — but I can tell you how I feel, and that’s disappointed to lose my best mate in the game.
“We’ve done it all together. He’s an amazing player and an amazing person. He’s made me a better player, and that’s from the bottom of my heart. He’s taken me to levels that I never new existed. He has pushed me through the good years and he’s made a choice.. His legacy at this club is there for everybody to see, the trophies he’s won, and the moments he’s had in history will always be there.
“Of course it’s an emotional decision and it’s not been an easy one but he’s made it. It was not nice to see him get booed but you can’t tell people how to act. But I can tell you how I feel about it: I’m extremely proud of him and what he’s done for this club.
“I love him as a friend, and I love him as a player, and he’ll be missed as one of my best friends in the game. That’s how I feel about it and I’m not going to tell anyone else how to feel about it.”
