Andy Robertson and Arne Slot acknowledged that Liverpool fans are entitled to voice their opinions about Trent Alexander-Arnold, following the unfriendly reception he received during the 2-2 match against Arsenal at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold has announced his departure from Liverpool for new opportunities this summer, concluding a 20-year journey that started in the club’s academy and includes winning the Premier League twice and the Champions League, and holding the position of vice captain.
Many Liverpool fans have voiced their disappointment and anger on social media regarding Alexander-Arnold’s choice, and this sentiment was evident before and during the Arsenal game. The 26-year-old faced boos when he entered as a substitute in the second half, taking the place of his potential successor, Conor Bradley, and the disapproval continued with every ball touch.
Speaking post-match, Robertson was keen to focus on the positive influence Alexander-Arnold’s had on his individual career but did admit it wasn’t nice to see his teammate turned on by Liverpool fans.
“Disappointed to lose a good friend, he’s an amazing player and an amazing person,” Robertson told Sky Sports. “He has pushed me through and made me a better player. His legacy will always be there, he’s done so much for this club.
“He will be missed for me as one of my best friends in the game, we’ve done it all together. He’s took me to levels I never knew existed. It hasn’t been an easy one for Trent but he has made the decision. It was not nice to see him get booed but you can’t tell people how to feel. That’s how I feel about it and I’m not going to tell anyone else how to feel about it.”
Slot echoed the sentiments of Robertson in his own post-match remarks, stating: “Everybody can have their own opinion and you can express it in any way you want to.
“I heard mixed opinions but the only opinion I have is I owe it to the players and fans to try to win a game of football and if Conor Bradley can’t go on because he is tired and I have Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench, I will bring him in because we want to win this game of football.
“He was very close for us to win it because he had two or three passes – what makes him so special. For me, it is quite simple if I want to win, I bring him in and that’s what I did and for the fans, they are entitled to have their own opinion.”
Alexander-Arnold is expected to sign a long-term deal at Real Madrid, following in the footsteps of Michael Owen and Steve McManaman, who left Liverpool for the Spanish capital aged 24 and 27 respectively – the latter also departing on a free transfer after opting against signing a new contract.
