Trent Alexander-Arnold 'should be treated like a hero' despite summer transfer to Real Madrid

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Liverpool beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, but much of the headlines will be dominated by the booing for Trent Alexander-Arnold when he came on. Alexander-Arnold was at Liverpool for nine years before leaving for Real at the end of last season. TNT Sports expert Joe Cole said the booing was "a real shame" and that he "should be treated like a hero".

Alexander-Arnold gets booed by Liverpool fans on Anfield return

Video credit: TNT Sports

Joe Cole said Trent Alexander-Arnold "should be treated like a hero" after he was booed on his return to Liverpool with Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold was booed as he came on during the second half of Real's UEFA Champions League meeting with their old rivals at Anfield on Tuesday.

Liverpool won the match 1-0 with a goal from Alexis Mac Allister, but Joe Cole - who was watching the game for TNT Sports - was unhappy with the treatment defender Alexander-Arnold received from home fans.

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'I think it's a real shame, I really do," former Liverpool star Cole said.

"I love Scousers, Liverpool fans. It's like they've all sent a memo round. This is one of your own, he has left your club.

"It was alright, maybe early on and a bit of pantomime. But it's just a shame for Trent, it's a shame for Liverpool fans, because he's going to move back to the city one day and his family are there. He should be treated like a hero.

"Real shame for him, and for the club. It's not like he's gone to Everton, or gone to Manchester United. He's gone to Real Madrid."

Highlights: Mac Allister goal sees Reds beat Real, Alexander-Arnold booed

Video credit: TNT Sports

Earlier in the day, a mural of Alexander-Arnold close to Anfield was vandalised.

Speaking before Tuesday's game, Alexander-Arnold said: "Whatever way I'm received is the decision of the fans.

"I'll always love the club, I'll always be a fan of the club. I'll always be thankful for the opportunities and the things we achieved together - they'll live with me forever."

Mac Allister sends Anfield wild with winner against Real - 'Pressure has told'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Liverpool enjoyed some of the most memorable moments in the long history of the club during Alexander-Arnold's nine years at Anfield.

That included Liverpool winning their sixth European Cup in 2019, a first league title for thirty years in 2020 and then another league success last season.

Now, Alexander-Arnold is facing a different challenge altogether in Spain.

Former Liverpool and England midfielder Fara Williams was also watching the game for TNT Sports and agrees with Cole that the treatment from fans was harsh.

"He's a childhood Liverpool fan growing up in the city, done great things, won everything with Liverpool," Williams said.

"When you're a youngster, and you're dreaming of playing for somebody outside the team you support, it is probably your Real Madrids and Barcelonas.

"The kid got the opportunity, after winning everything with Liverpool. Something different for him, he wanted to challenge himself in a different environment, learn a new culture.

"I thought on his return they'd probably give him a different reception than that. It's not a nice feeling, certainly, for Trent.

"I do get it to a degree. I know what it's like when you go back to your former club. But that is a bit harsh."

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