Roy Keane has questioned the "classy" reputation of Liverpool supporters after Trent Alexander-Arnold was met with boos and jeers on his Anfield return.
The England defender, who now plays for Real Madrid, started on the bench for the Spanish giants in his first match back at his boyhood city on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old was met with a hostile reception when manager Xabi Alonso subbed him on with 10 minutes of the game remaining with Los Blancos 1-0 down.
Alexander-Arnold was greeted mainly by loud boos as he made his way onto the pitch to try and push for a late equaliser.
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Commentators also highlighted that some supporters had stood and applauded the former Liverpool right-back.
Reacting to the hostile reception, Manchester United legend Roy Keane criticised the Liverpool crowd.
"The reputation of Liverpool fans is that they are loyal and a level up from most supporters," Keane told the Stick to Football podcast.
"Whatever anyone else says, I think for any player to go back with the service he gave, his contract was up, to boo him."
Manchester United legend Roy Keane criticised the Liverpool crowd
|STICK TO FOOTBALL
He added: "That's fine you aren't going to argue with supporters. Liverpool fans will obviously think, 'We are the biggest club in the world' like all supporters.
"I'm not saying you give the kid the thumbs up for leaving you. But why would you go to a match and boo a lad who has played 260/270 games, stats are fantastic.
"You don't have to wish him luck in Madrid. But to go to the effort of thinking, 'I'm going to boo this kid' as a local lad and Liverpool fans, for some reason, think they've got class.
"Liverpool fans have to have a good look at themselves."
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Trent Alexander-Arnold was subbed on late in the game
|PA
Those in the stadium were also heard singing about club legend Steven Gerrard.
To add to Alexander-Arnold's woes, Real Madrid lost the match, with GB News Sports Editor Jack Otway describing the performance as "a shadow of their usual selves as they slumped to defeat".
Alexander-Arnold's exit from Merseyside caused backlash from the Reds' fanbase, with some first booing him during his final appearances for the club.
Many accused Alexander-Arnold of running down his contract, preventing Liverpool from earning a hefty fee from Real Madrid.
Trent Alexander Arnold had been with Liverpool for 20 years | Reuters The agreed-upon amount was £10 million, with Real Madrid opting to sign him ahead of last summer's FIFA Club World Cup.
Before this week's Champions League fixture, a mural of Alexander-Arnold, on the corner of Sybil Road, was vandalised.
The artwork reads Alexander-Arnold's reaction to winning the UCL in 2019, when he declared: "I'm just a normal lad from Liverpool, whose dream has just come true."
Photographs show white paint being thrown over the image of Liverpool-born Alexander-Arnold, with the words "Adios El Rata" and "Goodbye Rat" written.
The mural featuring Alexander-Arnold appeared to be vandalised before the game
| XSpeaking ahead of his return this week, Alexander-Arnold said: "Whatever way I'm received, is the decision of the fans.
"I'll always love the club, I'll always be a fan of the club.
"I'll always be thankful for the opportunities and the things we achieved together, they'll live with me forever.
"No matter what, my feelings won't change towards Liverpool. I've got memories there that will last me a lifetime, and no matter how I'm received, that won't change."
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