Liverpool Legend Backs Fan Fury: Trent Alexander-Arnold "Hoodwinked" the Faithful
Ex-Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher passionately justified the Anfield supporters' harsh treatment of Trent Alexander-Arnold, stating that fans believed they had been "deceived" by the homegrown talent.
Alexander-Arnold departed Liverpool for Real Madrid amid significant backlash last summer. The lifelong Liverpool supporter let his deal run down, sparking outrage among supporters who had cherished the exceptionally gifted local product.
Liverpool supporters loudly jeered Alexander-Arnold when news of his pending exit emerged at the conclusion of the previous campaign. The animosity remained unchanged over the following half-year period. A tribute mural honoring the proud Merseysider was vandalized before Real Madrid's Champions League encounter with Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday evening, with the phrase "adios el rata"—incorrectly written Spanish meaning "farewell rat"—graffitied across the base.
Xabi Alonso granted Alexander-Arnold merely nine minutes of playing time as a substitute during the 1–0 loss, yet every one of his 10 ball contacts were met with jeers and hostile sounds.
Former Manchester United shot-stopper Peter Schmeichel condemned the reception Alexander-Arnold received from his previous supporters as "appalling" during CBS Sports' broadcast. "He's captured every honor and dedicated 20 years of his professional life to them. He deserves to return as a celebrated figure."
Schmeichel's co-analyst and former Liverpool legend himself, Carragher, provided a firm rebuttal. "I disagree with your assessment there. Fans determine what kind of welcome he receives. The reason it will be negative is because Trent, during those two decades, has adopted the stance of 'I'm a fan playing on the field.'
"The supporters in the ground wouldn't depart on a free contract and join Real Madrid. Sure, it's his professional path and he only gets one opportunity. He's a young individual and has achieved remarkable success.
"But considering what he's expressed since breaking into the Liverpool first team, if those statements were genuine, that Liverpool was his only destination and he aspired to captain the side and become a club icon, then you don't depart after just securing the league championship and having the chance to claim additional silverware with your team.
"You sign with a team that's defeated you on two occasions in the Champions League final and that's the organization you want to challenge against to capture more European titles? I completely comprehend the supporters' response.
"Much of it stems from their feeling that they've been misled somewhat by Trent during his time at the club and particularly in the final year, when he avoided any press conferences or public statements.
"There was speculation surrounding him, [Mohamed] Salah and [Virgil] Van Dijk—who were both regularly appearing in media outlets expressing their desire to remain. Trent remained notably quiet on the matter—and that's the source of supporters' disappointment."
Thibaut Courtois Defends Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold's ex-Liverpool colleague Virgil van Dijk provided minimal comfort while Madrid boss Xabi Alonso brushed off the reception as "expected." Thibaut Courtois eventually offered some support.
"It's unfortunate," Madrid's outstanding keeper remarked to beIN Sports. "Obviously, I'm not criticizing the supporters, they have the right to their perspective. But he's a young player who spent his entire professional life with Liverpool, and we each have only one career, and we all harbor aspirations.
"I hope the supporters can eventually forgive him over time, and someday he can return, and they'll celebrate him for all the championships he secured."