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Is this the day Liverpool followers turned on Trent? Alexander-Arnold is advised to ‘f*** off’ at Man United horror present as Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Carragher conflict over his Real Madrid transfer

  • Alexander-Arnold had a day to forget against Manchester United on Sunday 
  • Liverpool fans vented about him amid Madrid links as Slot defended his star 
  • LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism has gone at Old Trafford 

Trent Alexander-Arnold took a barrage of abuse at Anfield and online for his performance against Manchester United – as one fan told him to ‘f*** off’ to Real Madrid

The Liverpool star has given 20 years of service to the club since joining aged six but a rare off-day in Sunday’s 2-2 draw saw tensions boil over. 

Roy Keane slammed the England star for ‘schoolboy’ defending and afterwards Arne Slot had to bat away suggestions that his links to Real Madrid had affected his performance. 

Alexander-Arnold gave away the ball to Lisandro Martinez ahead of United’s first goal and was substituted late on having not won any duels. 

Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele heard one fan shout ‘if you don’t wanna be here Trent, f*** off’ after Martinez’s goal in the 52nd minute. 

Another posted a video of the right-back taking his seat after coming off and wrote: ‘Some fans around me made their feelings clear to Trent. One said ‘f*** off out of here’ — I don’t agree with that personally, but Trent needs to make sure he doesn’t through [sic] stinkers when there is too much noise about him leaving. He looked a troubled soul on the bench.’

Trent Alexander-Arnold took a barrage of criticism from Liverpool fans for his display in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United - with one saying he should 'f*** off' to Real Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold took a barrage of criticism from Liverpool fans for his display in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United – with one saying he should ‘f*** off’ to Real Madrid 

The Liverpool star had an off day and fans pounced - despite his years of excellent service

The Liverpool star had an off day and fans pounced – despite his years of excellent service 

Arne Slot denied suggestions that his player had been distracted by interest from Real Madrid

Arne Slot denied suggestions that his player had been distracted by interest from Real Madrid

Many Liverpool fans would argue that Alexander-Arnold has had a strong season, one which has seen him register five assists, break back into the England side, and improve the defensive side of his game.  

Mail Sport’s James Sharpe wrote an analysis of how the star, while still Liverpool’s creator-in-chief, is playing with more caution under Slot. 

But fans voiced their annoyance at the local lad on social media after the match.

‘His head was elsewhere today. If he wants to go, he needs to say so,’ said one.

‘Tbh [to be honest] Alex Arnold was shocking in the whole match,’ another wrote. 

‘His body and soul already with Real Madrid,’ commented another. 

Others leapt to his support. One said: ‘Comments like these are why players start having confidence issues. Put yourself in his shoes. 

‘It’s not as simple as just accepting a contract. Regardless of his current form. I support Trent. The joy he’s brought all of us and memories he’s made will never be forgotten.’

Real Madrid submitted a £20million bid for Alexander-Arnold last week but it was rebuffed

Roy Keane quipped that he would be better going to Tranmere Rovers after 'childlike' defending

Roy Keane quipped that he would be better going to Tranmere Rovers after ‘childlike’ defending

Another wrote: ‘Trent was very poor today but you’d think he’s been shocking all season with some of these comments. And his contract situation is not ideal but some of what is being said about him, and from our own fans too, is very unfair.’

After a difficult first half, Keane pilloried Alexander-Arnold on Sky Sports: ‘It’s too easy, just a couple of balls over the top. Trent’s defending it’s like schoolboy stuff, talking about going to Real Madrid, he’ll go to Tranmere Rovers after this.’

But manager Slot was eager to defend one of his prized stars, whose contract expires at the end of June. 

‘I think nine out of 10 people will tell you that it affected him. I’m (the) one of the 10 that tells you that I don’t think that affected him.

‘What affected him is that he had to play against Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, two starters for Portugal, great, great players.

‘If these players set themselves to a game – and that is what United once in a while does – then it’s very difficult to play against them.

‘I think that is more difficult for Trent to play against than the rumours that were there during the week.’

Liverpool, who restored a six-point lead over second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand, fought back from Martinez’s opener to lead with a Cody Gakpo strike and Mohamed Salah penalty before Amad Diallo levelled things up. Lots of the post-match discussion focused on Liverpool’s homegrown talent. 

Jamie Carragher suggested that Alexander-Arnold and his camp would have been aware of Real Madrid's bid this week, as his poor display led to Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Man United

Jamie Carragher suggested that Alexander-Arnold and his camp would have been aware of Real Madrid’s bid this week, as his poor display led to Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Man United

Ex-Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge clashed with Carragher over the defender after the match

Ex-Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge clashed with Carragher over the defender after the match 

Jamie Carragher and Daniel Sturridge clashed in the studio over the star’s transfer saga with Madrid. 

Jamie Carragher suggested that the player’s representative may have invited Madrid’s untimely £20million bid last week, while ex-Reds striker Daniel Sturridge disagreed. 

‘They will have known what was happening,’ said Carragher, referring to Alexander-Arnold’s representatives.

‘I’m not naive enough to think that Real Madrid would have put a bid in in January, for a player who they can get for nothing in four months.’

He added: ‘Do you seriously believe, when this bid comes in that they’re sat at home and see it on Sky Sports and say ‘wow!’’.

Sturridge insisted off-field matters would not affect his friend’s performances on the field.   

‘He’s a professional guy,’ the former striker said. ‘It’s not his personality to not be focused on the game – Trent can defend better but there were moments where he had no help too.

‘It’s a lose-lose either way. Everyone that’s involved in the football club should want him to stay. The club know Trent’s contract is running down.

Lisandro Martinez capitalised on Alexander-Arnold's misplaced pass and went on to score the opener

Lisandro Martinez capitalised on Alexander-Arnold’s misplaced pass and went on to score the opener 

‘His contract has six months left. None of the three of them should be in this predicament. We don’t know contracts have been offered and have been rejected. Jurgen leaving was a spanner in the works for everybody.

‘To leave these three players in a predicament like this.’