LIVERPOOL, England (AP) – A mural of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is returning to Liverpool with Real Madrid, was defaced on Tuesday.
The word “rat” has been daubed repeatedly on artwork near Liverpool’s Anfield stadium.
Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool fans furious when he left his hometown club to join Spanish giants Madrid in July.
Despite winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League during a trophy-filled decade at the club, he was jeered by fans at the end of last season, with former manager Jurgen Klopp saying: “I couldn’t have been more disappointed.”
The vandalism was removed on Tuesday night before Liverpool hosted Madrid in the Champions League. But the incident has raised questions about how Alexander-Arnold will be received when he appears at stadiums with Madrid.
Liverpool manager Arne Slott admitted on Monday he was unsure how fans would react.
“First of all, let’s see if he’s going to be on the field tomorrow,” Slott said. “I don’t know how it will turn out, but I’m sure he will be warmly welcomed by me.”
Alexander-Arnold made 354 appearances for Liverpool after leaving the academy in 2015. During that time, he helped the team win eight major trophies, including the 2020 league title, which ended the club’s 30-year wait to be crowned English champions.
Alexander-Arnold has not featured in Madrid’s last two games since recovering from a hamstring injury.
Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, also a former Liverpool player, said the defender should be happy to be back.
“I’m not going to tell him how he should feel because he has to have his own feelings and enjoy it in his own way,” Alonso said. “For sure, his history is different from mine. He was born and raised in Liverpool. I remember him from his early years in the academy, coming to the first team and winning the Champions League.”
“So he needs to enjoy the moment. It’s good to be back and it’s going to be good for him.”
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James Robson is https://x.com/James Saran Robson
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