Liverpool shaken as fans send a 'farewell rat' message to Arnold

Making his first return to Anfield wearing the Real Madrid jersey, Trent Alexander-Arnold unexpectedly became the center of criticism due to Liverpool fans' actions that sparked heated debate on social media.

In the early hours of November 5 (Vietnam time), the Champions League match between Liverpool and Real Madrid marked Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first visit back to Anfield since leaving his hometown club. However, instead of a warm welcome, the 27-year-old defender faced intense backlash from the crowd in the stands.

Before the match, the famous mural of Alexander-Arnold near Anfield was altered with the phrase “I’m just an ordinary guy from Liverpool who made his dream come true” being defaced with the addition of the words “adios el rata”, which means “goodbye, rat” in Spanish. This reaction partly reflects the disappointment of Liverpool fans after the 1998-born player chose to leave on a free transfer to join Real Madrid on a six-year contract.

Speaking on CBS, Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel described the reaction as “disgusting,” believing Alexander-Arnold deserved to be welcomed as a hero after two decades of dedication. However, Jamie Carragher — former Liverpool center-back who spent 17 years at the club — expressed a completely opposite view.

“I don’t agree with that. Fans have the right to decide how they react. For many years, Trent showed himself as a Liverpool supporter on the pitch. But if he truly loved the club and wanted to be a legend, he wouldn’t have left right after winning the title when there were still chances to win more,” Carragher said.

According to Carragher, Alexander-Arnold’s silence during negotiations made fans feel “betrayed.” While Salah and Van Dijk repeatedly confirmed their desire to stay, the English defender made no public statements about his future, which fueled a sense of betrayal among supporters.

Despite being booed when coming on in the 81st minute during Real Madrid’s 0-1 loss to Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold still received support from his former teammates after the match. He shared: “No matter how I’m received, I still love this club. I will always be a Liverpool fan.”

The story between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool probably isn’t over yet. Will the fans ever forgive him and remember the glorious years in red?

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