A mural of Trent Alexander-Arnold has been vandalised as the Real Madrid right-back prepares to face former club Liverpool on Tuesday. Some fans booed the Liverpool academy product in May after he announced he would leave his hometown club when his contract expired in June. The 27-year-old joined Real Madrid, who were then handed an away game with Liverpool in the league phase of this season's Champions League. The mural of the England defender was unveiled near Anfield after Liverpool became European champions in 2019, and was also vandalised earlier this year, with the word 'Rat' daubed on it.
The England international would have exited on a free transfer but for Real paying an 8.5m fee to cancel his Liverpool contract early and include him in their squad for the Club World Cup. The 27-year-old was part of a Real delegation that laid floral tributes to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva outside Anfield on Monday night. The head coach and former Liverpool midfielder Alonso, the defender Dean Huijsen and Real's director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueno, were also present.
I can understand it from being in Trent's shoes. I can understand it. I get it. His best mate plays there. Maybe he wants to challenge himself. He's won everything at Liverpool, so there's a part of me that really understands it.
England will host Andorra and travel to Serbia in September as they seek to book their place at the 2026 World Cup, and they will play those matches without Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish.
"He could have provided several assists already in the tournament. In training, his striking is unbelievable, his free-kicks and corners are on another level. I don't think I've seen anyone with his quality in striking and crossing."
Ibrahima Konate is hesitating to sign a new deal with Liverpool, leading to concerns about another key player potentially running down his contract after Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure.
If we all just sat around taking the rational view and refusing to Become Emotional the whole thing would last about three minutes before everyone cleared their throats.
Caoimhín Kelleher, despite enjoying the success of a second Premier League medal, remains focused on his ambition and future at Liverpool, showing determination to contribute next season.