Steve McManaman says Liverpool fans 'adore' Trent Alexander-Arnold despite boos on Anfield return - 'I was expecting it'

React to this story

It turned out to be a homecoming to forget for Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield on Tuesday night. The two-time Premier League winner with Liverpool was greeted with thunderous boos from home fans when he came off the bench for Real Madrid as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to The Reds. Former Liverpool and Real Madrid player Steve McManaman attended the game and said he was not surprised by the boos.

Alexander-Arnold gets booed by Liverpool fans on Anfield return

Video credit: TNT Sports

TNT Sports pundit Steve McManaman said that he was "expecting" Trent Alexander-Arnold to receive boos from the Liverpool faithful on his return to Merseyside.

The 27-year-old was a late substitute for Real Madrid, and was met with thunderous boos from many inside Anfield on Tuesday night.

Alexander-Arnold was unable to change the outcome of the result as Liverpool sealed a 1-0 win over Los Blancos in the UEFA Champions League.

Transfers

Arsenal to re-enter Barcola race, Man Utd eye Spanish left-back - Euro Transfer News

12 hours ago

The reaction from the Liverpool fans was a huge talking point after the game and TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole said the booing was a "shame" and that the England international "should be treated like a hero".

Alexander-Arnold was also jeered by a section of Anfield in their Premier League game against Arsenal late last season after he announced his departure from Liverpool following nine years playing for the club.

Speaking to TNT Sports, former Madrid and Liverpool player Steve McManaman, who attended the game on Tuesday, said the boos should not be seen as a surprise.

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

Video credit: TNT Sports

"To be honest, I was expecting it because the Liverpool fans were booing every Real Madrid player who touched the ball," McManaman explained.

"I don’t expect the supporters to cheer the opposition because that could’ve given confidence to the Madrid team.

"I think that Liverpool fans adore Trent and, in the future, they will show that adulation towards him, but the fact that he left and returned three months later, the supporters were always going to react in that way in that situation.

"Liverpool fans idolised Luis Suarez, but when he came back with Barcelona in that famous Champions League semi-final comeback, they booed him off the pitch, so it was always going to be that way.

"However, I don’t think the booing will ever detract from their love for Trent at the end of the day."

'Liverpool look a lot more secure' with Bradley

Conor Bradley, who has been labelled as Alexander-Arnold's long-term replacement, enjoyed another fine performance against Madrid.

Bradley has struggled at times this season but managed to shut down Vinicius Junior at Anfield, almost a year after impressing against Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League last season.

The Northern Ireland international drew a huge roar from the Kop end in last term's 2-0 win over Madrid for a crunching tackle on Mbappe.

Watch: Every angle of Bradley's 'fantastic, strong' tackle on Mbappe

Video credit: TNT Sports

McManaman admits that he was impressed with Bradley's display and urged Liverpool boss Arne Slot to keep him in the side.

"When he’s up against someone in a one-v-one situation like he was against Vinicius on Tuesday, it’s a personal battle for him and I think he excels in those situations," McManaman said.

"He has suffered a stop-start to the season because [Jeremie] Frimpong was put in before his injury and then Bradley kept getting early bookings in games and then [Dominik] Szoboszlai was asked to play at right-back.

"There was a sense they were trying to protect him but now Slot has returned to the back four of [Andy] Robertson at left back and Bradley on the right which he used at times last season.

"Those players seem to know and trust where they need to be on the pitch, and I think it helps [Ibrahima] Konate and Virgil [van Dijk] as well. I think that’s why Liverpool look a lot more secure.

"It was great to see that back four play against Aston Villa and then once more against Real Madrid. Robbo appeared to pick up a knock in midweek, but hopefully they’ll be able to pick the same back line for the big game on Sunday against Manchester City.

"I think it has been a really good few results for Liverpool after beating Villa and Madrid, who both enjoyed good runs in the league."

Liverpool are looking to claim their third consecutive win in all competitions when they face a daunting trip to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

- - -

Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Premier League