Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold faced a torrent of jeers from the Anfield faithful as he entered the pitch wearing Real Madrid colours during Tuesday night's Champions League encounter.
The 27-year-old emerged from the bench to a deafening chorus of disapproval from supporters who once idolised him.
The hostile reception intensified as he took to the field with his new team trailing by a single goal. Home supporters responded with targeted songs directed at their former vice-captain, who had spent his entire career at the Merseyside club before his controversial summer departure.
Liverpool secured a crucial 1-0 victory over the Spanish giants, ending Real Madrid's flawless Champions League campaign and providing respite from their recent poor form.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was mercilessly booed by Liverpool fans after coming on off the bench
|REUTERS
The atmosphere reached fever pitch when Alexander-Arnold stepped onto the familiar turf.
Supporters immediately launched into renditions celebrating club icon Steven Gerrard, followed by chants for Conor Bradley, who had excelled in the right-back position once occupied by Alexander-Arnold.
Despite the venomous reception in the Merseyside drizzle, the Real Madrid substitute maintained a wide grin throughout.
He appeared entirely unfazed by the animosity, chatting with former colleagues near the tunnel before joining his Spanish team-mates.
During warm-ups, Alexander-Arnold had deliberately delayed his entrance, separating himself from the Real Madrid squad.
His theatrical arrival drew immediate boos from eagle-eyed supporters who spotted him emerging onto the pitch.
Fellow substitute Endrick was observed sharing a light moment with Alexander-Arnold about the crowd's reaction, as the former Liverpool player continued to smile despite the hostility from those who once cheered his every touch.
Alexis Mac Allister scored the only goal of the match as Liverpool beat Real Madrid 1-0
|REUTERS
Prior to the match, vandals had targeted a mural celebrating Alexander-Arnold near the stadium. The artwork, located at the junction of Sybil Road, depicts his jubilant reaction following Liverpool's 2019 Champions League triumph.
White paint was splattered across the image of Alexander-Arnold wearing his former number 66 shirt. The vandals scrawled "Adios El Rata" - translating to "Goodbye Rat" - alongside multiple declarations branding him a "rat".
The defaced mural features his memorable quote from that European victory: "I'm just a normal lad from Liverpool, whose dream has just come true."
The graffiti attack served as an early indication of the hostile atmosphere that would greet the defender upon his return to his former home ground.
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The acrimonious response from Liverpool supporters stems from the circumstances surrounding Alexander-Arnold's exit. The England international allowed his contract to expire, depriving his boyhood club of a substantial transfer fee for one of their most prized assets.
His departure drew particular ire after he proclaimed joining Real Madrid as "a dream come true", contradicting previous statements about aspiring to captain Liverpool.
The defender had repeatedly expressed that winning trophies with the Merseyside club "means more" than elsewhere.
Critics accused him of insincerity during his farewell video, where he appeared to read from a script without genuine emotion.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was booed with every touch he had in his brief cameo
|REUTERS
Liverpool John Lennon Airport captured public sentiment by posting an image of him boarding a plane with the caption: "He even flew from Manchester", accompanied by a snake emoji.
Liverpool's resurgence continued with Alexis Mac Allister's decisive header from Dominik Szoboszlai's expertly delivered free-kick after 61 minutes.
The Argentine midfielder's goal proved sufficient to defeat the Spanish champions, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois preventing a heavier scoreline through several crucial saves.
The victory marked consecutive wins for Arne Slot's team following triumphs against Aston Villa and Real Madrid, reversing a dismal sequence of six defeats in seven matches across all competitions. The result elevated Liverpool to sixth position in the Champions League standings.
Former manager Jurgen Klopp had previously defended Alexander-Arnold, declaring: "I'm not saying don't be disappointed but don't forget what he's done for this club."
However, current boss Slot offered less sympathy before the player's departure, stating: "I wasn't completely happy with every single minute he was on the training ground."