Liverpool fans who booed Trent Alexander-Arnold on his first return to Anfield have been called “disgusting” and “uncool”.
The idea of a Liverpool youth star being booed at home would have seemed crazy just 12 months ago, but his decision to terminate his contract and move to Real Madrid has made the English full-back public enemy number one on Merseyside.
Before the match, a mural of Alexander-Arnold near Anfield was defaced and booed by fans who had taken their seats early during the warm-up.
But how the home supporters felt about Alexander-Arnold was made clear in no uncertain terms when he was greeted with loud boos after coming on as a substitute in the 81st minute.
Since then, pundits and former players have given their verdict on whether it was ‘right’ for fans to do so, but one man who really didn’t think it was good was Peter Schmeichel.
The former United goalkeeper, who is a pitchside commentator on CBS, said it was “disgusting” and said the reaction should have been different.
“I think it’s annoying and disgusting in a way,” he said. “He won every trophy and was given a 20-year career. He should be welcomed back as a hero.”
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This was an opinion shared by the Daily Mail, which used the rather American insult of “uncool”.
Columnist Ian Ladyman wrote: “As he was booed out on the field for warm-ups, he just smiled with a distant look on his face.” “I then had a chat and hugged former teammates Kodi Gakpo and Curtis Jones. It was all somewhat predictable and to be honest it was a little lame.”
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso also expected the reception to be a bit muted, but said his players coped well.
“It was an intense game. We know the atmosphere at Anfield on a European Clasico, a Champions League night. We needed his quality and we needed his threat from the wings.”
“(His reception) was as expected. He’s professional and mature. He was ready for it. No problem.”
In Spain, Barcelona-based newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported that Madrid were unable to use the boos to give their team any momentum.
Journalist Mario Calderon wrote: “As expected, the Englishman was booed on his return to Anfield and when he touched the ball the whole stadium turned towards him.”
“That should have given Real Madrid a little more motivation, but nothing could be further from the truth as Courtois was once again the hero against Salah.”
One man who took the boos in stride was Jamie Carragher, who has often criticized his handling of Alexander-Arnold’s sending off.
The former Liverpool captain said the player deserved a warm welcome because he had “fooled” fans.
“I disagree with what you said there,” he said in response to Schmeichel’s comments. “It’s up to the supporters to decide how he reacts. The reason why he reacts so poorly is because for the last 20 years, Trent has played the role of being a supporter on the pitch.”
“The supporters in the stadium will not go and play at Real Madrid on a free transfer. OK, this is his career and he can only get one thing. He is a young man and has had great success. He is a young player and has had great success.”
“But what he has said since joining the Liverpool team is that Liverpool is the only team for him and he wants to be captain here and be a legend. “There’s no reason to leave when you’ve just won the league title and you have a chance to win more trophies with the club.
“You’re joining a club that has lost twice in the Champions League final, is that a club that wants to compete more to win the Champions League? I can understand the reactions of the supporters.
“A lot of the reason is because they feel they’ve been fooled a little bit by Trent throughout his time at the club and also last year because he didn’t give any media interviews and didn’t say anything.
“There were rumors going around him. Salah and Van Dijk were both constantly coming out to the media that they wanted to stay. Trent was very quiet on the issue and that’s where the frustration of the supporters comes from.”
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