Why did Liverpool fans boo Trent? Carragher cuts through media noise and reveals the truth

Robin Bairner
Robin Bairner
  • 5 Nov 2025 04:30 CST
  • 4 min read
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid, Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, 2025/26
© IMAGO

Trent Alexander-Arnold was given a frosty reception as he returned to Liverpool with Real Madrid.

Article continues under the video

It proved an unhappy evening for the right-back, who departed Anfield with boos ringing in his ears following a 1-0 defeat for his new side, who he joined in the summer in a €10 million deal.

Alexander-Arnold was the master of his own destiny, having made a pre-contract agreement to sign as a free agent with Los Blancos, who chose to sign him a month early for a comparatively fee so he could take part in the FIFA Club World Cup group stage.

Current ETV
Player image Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold

D (R)

Real Madrid logo

Real Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold

D (R)

Real Madrid

Real Madrid

€68.3M

ETV Range

€61.5M - €75.1M

This had been announced prior to the end of the season, with the England star jeered while still wearing Liverpool red.

Trent would likely not have been surprised by the reaction he received on his return with Real Madrid.

Carragher explains why Trent was booed

Now CBS Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has explained why Liverpool fans were so angry with the 27-year-old, giving the perspective of a Scouser and Reds supporter to a widespread audience.

He said: “I think the supporters will decide what kind of reception he gets. The reason I expect it to be a bit colder is because, throughout his career, Trent has played like a supporter on the pitch. Those same supporters in the stadium wouldn’t walk away on a free transfer to play for Real Madrid.

“Now, it’s his career - he only gets one, and he’s been incredibly successful at Liverpool - but if everything he’s said over the years is true, that Liverpool is the club for him, that he wants to be captain and a legend here, then you don’t leave just after winning the league title, with the chance to win more trophies.

“Especially not to join a club that’s beaten you twice in Champions League finals - and now you want to go and win that trophy with them. So I completely understand the reaction from supporters.

“A lot of them feel like they’ve been a bit hoodwinked by Trent - not just over his time at the club, but particularly over the last year. He’s avoided media interviews, stayed quiet while there was speculation about him.

“Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk were open in saying they wanted to stay, but Trent stayed silent, and that’s where a lot of the frustration from the fans comes from."

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available in the Apple App Store. Download here:

App Store