Peter Schmeichel has condemned the Liverpool fans who booed Trent Alexander-Arnold during the Champions League match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at Anfield on Tuesday. The Manchester United legend described the treatment of the former Liverpool player as "disgusting".
Alexander-Arnold made his first return to Anfield since his high-profile move to Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer. The Liverpool academy graduate, who spent nearly 20 years at the club and won every trophy possible, was met with a hostile reception from a section of the home crowd as he warmed up and later entered the game as a late substitute.
Schmeichel, speaking on CBS Sports, expressed his dismay at the boos. "I find it a little bit annoying, disgusting in a way, that this is even an issue," he said. "This is somebody that has given nearly 20 years for Liverpool Football Club. He has won every trophy that they played for his in his time. He should be welcomed back as a hero".
The frosty reception stemmed from Alexander-Arnold's departure from Liverpool at the end of his contract, a move that angered many fans and former players. A mural of Alexander-Arnold near Anfield was also vandalized before the game, with offensive graffiti.
However, not everyone agreed with Schmeichel's assessment. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher defended the fans' reaction, stating that they were entitled to express their feelings. Carragher argued that Alexander-Arnold, who often portrayed himself as a fan on the pitch, had betrayed the supporters by leaving for Real Madrid. "The supporters decide what type of reception he gets," Carragher said on CBS. "Trent throughout those 20 years has played the position of 'I'm a supporter on the pitch'. So them supporters in the stadium wouldn't leave to join Real Madrid on a free transfer". Carragher added that fans felt "hoodwinked" by Alexander-Arnold's conduct in his final months at Anfield.
Carragher also highlighted the contrast between Alexander-Arnold's decision and the choices of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who both opted to stay at Liverpool despite having less than a year remaining on their contracts. He suggested that Alexander-Arnold's departure, with little financial benefit for the club, had fueled the fans' resentment.
Despite the negativity surrounding Alexander-Arnold's return, Liverpool managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid, ending the Spanish giant's perfect Champions League start. Alexis Mac Allister scored the only goal of the match, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois prevented Liverpool from winning by a larger margin.
