Trent Alexander-Arnold didn’t exactly receive the warmest of welcomes at Anfield on Sunday, and it appeared to grate with one of his Liverpool team-mates.
The England international, 26, announced last week that he would indeed be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, bringing an end to a near season-long saga and confirming the worst-kept secret in football.
Despite spending two decades at the club, and winning numerous trophies with the Reds, Alexander-Arnold’s exit sparked fury among some sectors of the Liverpool fanbase.
And large sections of Reds fans made their feelings clear at Anfield as they booed Alexander-Arnold when he was introduced as a second-half substitute.
The sentiment continued when he lapped the pitch after full-time to applaud the fans as supporters again jeered the star, which seemed to annoy team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai.
A clip posted on social media shows Alexander-Arnold approaching the Kop only to be booed by fans. The Hungarian midfielder gestures in irritation, waving his hands dismissively before walking off.
Dominik Szoboszlai could be seen gesturing angrily towards the Kop after Trent Alexander-Arnold was booed on Sunday
The Liverpool right back announced last week that he would be leaving the club
Alexander-Arnold was benched for the clash with Arsenal but later came on for Conor Bradley
Alexander-Arnold was already in the spotlight before the game even kicked off, having been named on the bench.
His spot was taken by Conor Bradley, who will be looking to show that he deserves to be the successor to the 26-year-old’s spot in the team for the future.
It is likely that the Reds will look to replace Alexander-Arnold in the starting team, but there could also be a tactical change for next season, given how the system is set up to get the best out of his unique talents.
It was a fascinating clash on Sunday between the top two teams in the country, though there wasn’t the impact on the title race many would have predicted at the start of the season.
Liverpool quickly took the lead through Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz, who struck within two minutes of one another.
But the Gunners bounced back with Gabriel Martinelli netting just after the interval and Mikel Merino pouncing on a loose ball for the equaliser, before seeing red for a second yellow card.
While Liverpool had already clinched the Premier League title, it was a point that strengthens Arsenal’s battle to finish second, given the visit of Newcastle in midweek with the Magpies in fine form at the moment.
