Liverpool explodes: “Alexander-Arnold: traitor, loser, rat...”

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave Liverpool, while long anticipated, has not gone down well with Reds supporters. The anger and disappointment were quick to surface. “You’re a rat”; “This is why you’ll never be like Steven Gerrard”; “True loyalty isn’t marked like that. You’re a loser…”; “Traitor.”

These were just a few of the “pleasantries” directed at the full-back. Liverpool fans lashed out at the England international—several videos even circulated online showing fans burning shirts bearing his iconic number 66.

The farewell has been widely scrutinised in the British press, especially the timing of the announcement. The Times noted: “He has clarified his plans now, rather than waiting until after the title parade on May 26, so that no one sees him as a coward who slipped out the back door. In the next three games, he will have to face Liverpool fans and accept the consequences.”

Anfield legend Jamie Carragher has been among the most outspoken. Writing in The Telegraph, he remarked:

‘It is just how it is... His relationship with the Kop fractured’

He continued, “There are many examples of truly great players who gave stellar service everywhere they went but no longer feel emotionally attached to anyone. It is not necessarily right or fair. It is just how it is... Owen is the obvious one. His relationship with the Kop fractured after he left Anfield. Paul Ince was another when he left Manchester United. Was Ince as big an influence on the rise of United under Sir Alex Ferguson as Roy Keane? I would argue yes. They were both brilliant midfielders, but only one is seen as “Mr Manchester United.”

Carragher sympathised with both Alexander-Arnold and the fans: “I love seeing a Liverpool-born lad doing so well he will play for Real Madrid. Part of me thinks “well done”, but the competitive element in me also thinks swapping Liverpool red for Real Madrid white means he has chosen to become a rival."

Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid now seems only a matter of time. His farewell began, symbolically at least, at the King Power Stadium. With fifteen minutes left on the clock, Liverpool were pushing against Leicester. Salah hit the post, Jota skimmed the bar, and chaos reigned in the box—until the ball dropped to Alexander-Arnold. With a thundering left-footed strike through a crowd of players, he scored. He sprinted to the away end, ripped off his shirt, and hung it on the corner flag—a bold gesture many interpreted as a final goodbye.

A week later, Liverpool sealed the Premier League title with a thumping win over Tottenham, equalling Manchester United’s tally of 20 league trophies. Eyes turned again to Alexander-Arnold. Could the celebrations change his mind? Would he sign a new contract and reject the lure of Madrid?

The answer was no. The decision had long been made. That title celebration was a closing chapter—an emotional finale for a player who had informed his manager two months earlier that he wouldn’t be renewing his contract. But he had also promised to give his all until the final whistle of the season. Arne Slot, Klopp’s successor, accepted it. Trent’s ambition remained clear; his commitment never wavered.

Throughout his career at Anfield, Alexander-Arnold signed new contracts every two years: July 2017, January 2019, July 2021. After James Milner’s departure in the summer of 2023, Klopp named Trent one of the club’s captains—and naturally, he expected a new deal. But it never came.

Julian Ward, who had succeeded Michael Edwards as sporting director, had already stepped down. Klopp brought in Jörg Schmadtke with a directive to overhaul the midfield—contract renewals had to wait. Later that year, Klopp dropped a bombshell: 2023–24 would be his last at Liverpool.

Richard Hughes was then tasked with finding Klopp’s replacement. He found Arne Slot, guiding Feyenoord to domestic success. But the transition created a vacuum of uncertainty. Several key players were entering the final year of their deals, and without knowing the new manager’s identity or philosophy, many were hesitant to commit. It was during this instability that Alexander-Arnold began questioning his future. Renewal talks stalled. The debate intensified.

From red to white

Enter Real Madrid. They had long admired Alexander-Arnold, but Dani Carvajal’s injury against Villarreal in October accelerated their interest. Unlike their signings of Mbappé and Rüdiger, who arrived on free transfers, Madrid were willing to pay. They knew Liverpool would prefer a fee now over losing a star for nothing.

On December 30, Madrid submitted a formal offer. Slot rejected it—Liverpool were still chasing trophies, and Trent was vital. Negotiations for a new deal continued into January, but progress was slow. The media storm grew. Criticism intensified, particularly after a disappointing draw with Manchester United. Even the contract extensions of Salah and Van Dijk in April couldn’t shift the narrative.

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By then, everyone inside Anfield knew: Trent was leaving. But he stayed silent, choosing not to overshadow the title race. A week after lifting the trophy, he made it official. No destination was named, but in England, it’s the worst-kept secret: Trent Alexander-Arnold is headed to Real Madrid.

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