Anfield was supposed to provide a painful experience for Arsenal and for 66 minutes Liverpool obliged. Then Trent Alexander-Arnold entered the fray and everything changed: the atmosphere, the focus and the bond between a boyhood Liverpool fan and the Kop. The punishment was transferred to one of their own.
Boos started as soon as Alexander-Arnold appeared on the sideline waiting to replace Conor Bradley, hit a crescendo when he stepped on to the pitch, and accompanied almost his every touch. There were more boos when the Real Madrid-bound defender applauded the Kop after the final whistle, prompting Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo to register their dismay at the treatment of their teammate. Arne Slot claimed afterwards that the Anfield crowd was split in its judgment of Alexander-Arnold and there was plenty of applause for the club’s 20-year servant. Untrue. This was brutal and his introduction proved too much of a distraction.
