Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have come forward to defend Trent Alexander-Arnold amid the divide surrounding some Liverpool fans booing him, after the player was jeered by some of his own against Arsenal.
Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid in the summer and made his exit decision public just over a week ago. That prompted an angry reaction from some supporters, though others are keener to focus on the Premier League title having been won.
On the latest episode of The Rest is Football, Lineker and Shearer both expressed their discontent with the supporters’ behaviour towards the full-back who is set to leave on a free transfer this summer. Both pundits voiced their respect for Liverpool fans but were clearly disenchanted by the jeers aimed at Alexander-Arnold.
Lineker remarked: “It grated on me. I didn’t like that. After what he’s done. He’s a local lad who has come through the ranks. He’s given everything. He’s won everything for that club.”
The television presenter understood the fans’ frustration at losing one of their stars but emphasized that soccer players aren’t commodities. “I understand they’ve got the hump that they are losing one of the best players,” he added. “They all talk about him going on a free, but footballers are not pieces of meat.”
Emphasising the unique circumstances of Alexander-Arnold’s move, Lineker also highlighted the personal aspect of the decision. “I never quite understand it,” he said. “It’s Real Madrid, it’s his life, his career. They are incredible fans, Liverpool, but on that occasion — and it wasn’t all the fans — I found it a bit disappointing.”
Shearer has strongly criticized the jeering directed at a certain Liverpool figure, stating it’s “not a good look” for the club. He remarked: “I saw the reaction on social media which is obviously not the best (way to judge) but I don’t like that. I don’t like fans booing players.
“After what’ he’s done for Liverpool. I understand it might only be a minority. Like both of you (Lineker and Micah Richards), I totally respect and admire the Liverpool fans because of who and what they are.
“But whoever they were who were booing them, come on. Is it that bad? He’s chosen to do what he wants after doing what he’s done for Liverpool. Not a good look for me. Not good. Don’t like it at all.”
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Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk responded to the backlash post-match with pragmatism, conceding his teammate has to tackle such scenarios head-on. He told reporters: “I think the manager said it right in the press conference that you can’t decide how anyone feels about the decision he made for him and his family.
“The reaction happened. He has to deal with it. We as a team have to deal with that as well, by the way. But I think maybe he expected this. We have two more games and then we part ways and he will go somewhere else.
“It’s not easy, not at all. We’re here for him anyway but I think the manager said it pretty well. You can’t decide how anyone’s feelings are based on this decision. He made his decision and he had peace with it. We all have to deal with it.”
Liverpool.com says: It is a tricky subject. Fans pay their money and are entitled to do whatever they want inside the ground. Alexander-Arnold, as Van Dijk said, will have to deal with the fallout and come to terms with how people are feeling about his exit.
