Trent suffers boos and defeat on Liverpool return

""It had been a very intense game," Alonso said. "The atmosphere at Anfield in a Champions League game is top. We needed [Alexander-Arnold's] quality. We needed his threat from the wing. "[The reaction] could be expected. [He is] professional and mature. He was ready for that so no problem.""

""I was impressed by the atmosphere throughout the whole 90 minutes, even before the game already," the Dutchman said. "I think the fans helped us over 90 minutes and not only when Trent was on the pitch.""

""I couldn't have been more disappointed.""

Real Madrid lost 1-0 at Anfield to Liverpool, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring a header. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who joined Real Madrid after his Liverpool contract expired, was introduced from the bench in the 80th minute and was booed by fans. A mural celebrating Alexander-Arnold was repeatedly daubed with the word "rat" and was cleaned before the match. Xabi Alonso described the match as intense, praised the Anfield atmosphere, and said Alexander-Arnold was professional and ready for the reaction. Liverpool manager Arne Slot credited the fans for helping the team throughout the full 90 minutes. Alexander-Arnold made 354 appearances for Liverpool and had been jeered toward the end of last season.

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