Liverpool, England – Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said there was “no problem” with Trent Alexander-Arnold receiving a hostile reception upon his return to Liverpool in the Champions League.
Real Madrid were beaten 1-0 at Anfield thanks to a header from Alexis McAllister, with Alexander-Arnold – who joined Madrid in the summer after his contract with Liverpool expired – being booed by fans when he was introduced from the bench in the 80th minute.
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“It was a very intense match,” Alonso said. “The atmosphere at Anfield for a Champions League match is fantastic. We needed his (Alexander-Arnold) quality. We needed his threat from the wing.
“(The reaction) was expected. (He’s) professional and mature. He was prepared for it, so there’s no problem.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slott also dismissed suggestions that the introduction of Alexander-Arnold had helped his side over the line.
The Dutchman said: “I was impressed by the atmosphere throughout the 90 minutes, even before the match actually.” “I think the fans helped us throughout the 90 minutes, and not just when Trent was on the pitch.”
Alexander-Arnold played 354 matches with Liverpool after graduating from its academy in 2015.
Despite winning two Premier League titles and a Champions League in a trophy-laden decade at the club, fans jeered the academy graduate at the end of last season – prompting former boss Jurgen Klopp to say “I couldn’t have been more disappointed.”
Months have passed, but the hostility remains.
The word ‘mouse’ has been repeatedly written on a mural celebrating Alexander Arnold, near Liverpool’s stadium. The vandalism was removed before Tuesday’s game, but he had to face more on-field abuse with some fans chanting obscenities during warmups in the second half.
When asked after the match if he had spoken to Alexander-Arnold, Slott added: “Only shortly afterwards. I hugged him. I don’t know exactly (what was said) but maybe not much.”
“Every time I would meet him, I would either hug him or talk to him because he was very special to me as a player and as a person.”
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
