Some Liverpool fans booed Trent Alexander-Arnold before, during and then after the Reds’ 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the weekend. And to say that the reaction has been both loud and mixed would be an understatement.
For some, it is a justifiable way of showing displeasure at a local hero joining a European rival for free. For others, it is a step too far too jeer one of your own while he is still wearing a Liverpool jersey.
Former Reds midfielder Danny Murphy has offered his take on the situation, understanding that some fans will feel strongly about Alexander-Arnold’s decision, which he announced a week ago. Seemingly like Arne Slot, he didn’t think the reaction would be quite as vociferous.
“I was expecting some negative reaction and I get why,” Murphy said on Match of the Day 2. “But I didn’t expect it to be to the enormity that it was, and the noise that we heard was more than I expected.
“I think it’s sad, really. I think it’s a shame for it to end this way when he’s had so much success, but he’s a big boy. He’s made his decision. You can’t please everyone all the time and he’s got to hold his head up high and carry on his career.
“It’s a difficult one and a sad one. When a player gives so much and has so much success, ideally you want it to end in a nice way, but it’s just not happening.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Slot must now decide, alongside Alexander-Arnold, whether the Liverpool vice-captain has played his final game for his boyhood club, or whether he will feature against either Brighton or Crystal Palace.
“There’s a lot of emotion around it,” Andy Robertson said after the game against Arsenal. “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 about it, so all I can tell you is how I feel about it.
“First of all, I’m disappointed to lose my best mate in the game. We’ve done it all together. He’s an amazing player and amazing person. He’s made me a better player and that’s from the bottom of my heart.
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“He’s taken me to levels I never knew existed. He kept pushing me through the good years. Of course it’s an emotional decision and, for Trent, it’s not been an easy one; of course it’s not, but he’s made the decision.
“It’s not nice to see your friend get booed. It wasn’t nice but, like I said, we can’t tell people how to act.
“I can only 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, I love him as a player, and he’ll be missed as one of my best friends in the game.”
Liverpool.com says: Alexander-Arnold has made his decision and fans are entitled to think whatever they like about it. What cannot happen, though, is that the celebrations for winning the league are overshadowed. No one should be spending time booing him when what Liverpool has achieved this season should be the only focus of everyone’s energy.
