LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — A mural of Trent Alexander-Arnold was defaced ahead of his return to Liverpool with Real Madrid on Tuesday and the former Anfield hero was later jeered and taunted by the home fans.
The word “rat” was repeatedly daubed over the artwork, located near Liverpool’s stadium, and fans vented their anger when Alexander-Arnold came on as a late substitute in the Champions League match.
The England international infuriated Liverpool supporters when he to left his hometown club to join Spanish giant Madrid in July.
Despite winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League in a trophy-laden decade at the club, fans jeered him toward the end of last season — prompting former manager Jurgen Klopp to say “I couldn’t have been more disappointed.”
Feelings were evidently still raw on Alexander-Arnold’s first return to Anfield since his move.
The vandalism was removed before Liverpool hosted Madrid on Tuesday evening. But the defender, who was named as a substitute, had to contend with more hostility inside the stadium with some fans chanting obscenities as he warmed up in the second half.
Liverpool coach Arne Slot admitted Monday he did not know how fans would react.
“Let’s first wait and see if he is on the pitch tomorrow,” Slot said. “I have no clue how that’s going to be, but he gets a warm welcome from me, that’s for sure.”
He and Alexander-Arnold got their answer when the player came on for Arda Guler in the 81st. Loud jeers rang around all sides of the stadium and the boos continued each time he touched the ball.
Alexander-Arnold made 354 appearances for Liverpool after graduating from its academy in 2015. He helped the team win eight major trophies in that time — including the league title in 2020, which ended the club’s 30-year wait to be crowned English champion.
Madrid coach Xabi Alonso — also a former Liverpool player — said Monday the defender needed to relish his return.
“He has to have his own feelings and enjoy it his own way, so I am not going to say how he needs to feel,” Alonso said. “For sure his history is different from mine, he was born and bred in Liverpool. I remember him from a young age in the academy and then coming to the first team and winning the Champions League.
“So he needs to enjoy that moment because it is nice to be back and for him it is going to be nice.”
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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
James Robson, The Associated Press
