Manchester United legend Paul Scholes can understand why some Liverpool fans booed Trent Alexander-Arnold during Sunday's Premier League draw with Arsenal.
Alexander-Arnold announced earlier this month that he would be leaving the club this summer when his contract expires with the full-back expected to join Real Madrid.
The clash with the Gunners was Liverpool's first game at Anfield since the announcement and a large number of supporters made their feelings known.
The Englishman had started the match on the bench but was met with a chorus of boos as he came on in the second half.
Reflecting on what was a low moment in an otherwise brilliant Premier League campaign for Arne Slot's team, Scholes wrote in his column for TNT Sports: 'I didn’t expect the booing towards Trent Alexander-Arnold, but I think it’s difficult to understand what they’re [the fans] going through when you’re not a Liverpool fan or live around the city.
'I understood the reaction a bit because they think that Liverpool is the best in the world – just as I think Manchester United is the best. I understand it from that point of view.
'As a fan, of course, you’re going to be upset with him leaving. I try to compare it to when Cristiano Ronaldo or David Beckham left Old Trafford to join Real Madrid. I know it’s not a like-for-like comparison because David [was not a local lad but] joined United as a young player, and you felt that his time under Sir Alex Ferguson had come to an end and the time was right for him to leave.
'With Cristiano, it was always his dream to play for Madrid, even before he joined us, and we managed to keep him for an extra year. I know it’s not a local lad leaving, but I’d wonder if it were myself, Gary [Neville], Phil [Neville], Ryan [Giggs], Nicky [Butt] who were in a similar situation, would there have been much uproar about it? I don’t know.
'But I think Trent deserves a bit of credit for the way he has handled everything. Maybe the only mistake he made was to announce his decision before the end of the season. You see so many players nowadays who kick up a fuss to get out of a football club, and he hasn’t done that.
'Some players refuse to play or go and see the manager to demand a transfer, but with Trent, he’s actually come to the end of his contract and simply wants something new.
'Of course, that won’t sit well with Liverpool fans, but it’s his life, and he wants to go and play in Spain with his mate Jude Bellingham. But I can understand why Liverpool fans aren’t gracious with that, because they’ll see Liverpool as just as big as Real Madrid.'
Fabs_D
0
If he wasn't leaving for free then I doubt they would've booed him...
Hahaha... delusional?? are you kidding... it's you who haven't been following the news mate... Trent has been turning down contracts since July 2024 mate... check well before arguing blindly in public He had it all worked out... Madrid only fully inquired about the player in January but his first contract turn down was in July 8th 2024
GaddafiJamal
0
Well... it may be the case but if we are expected to understand then why can't people understand the frustration of the fans??? I don't think if Madrid came to buy him and he says he wanted to go the club would have refused... Noooo I don't think so
They Came In The January Transfer Window. Either You Didn’t Follow The News Or You’re Being Delusional.. Either Way Believe Whatever You Wish To 🤷♂️
Fabs_D
0
The Thing Is Liverpool Won’t Sell Him & He Also Has Dreams, So The Only Best Option Is This Way.. It’s The Same Like Mbappe’s Saga. How Many Times Did Madrid Try To Get Him & PSG Turning Down The Offer? No Team Wants Their Best Players To Leave But If The Player Has Other Dreams, Then They Can Easily Run Down Their Contract & The Clubs Can’t Have Any Say Again 🤷♂️
Well... it may be the case but if we are expected to understand then why can't people understand the frustration of the fans??? I don't think if Madrid came to buy him and he says he wanted to go the club would have refused... Noooo I don't think so
GaddafiJamal
0
it's not about trent going to real madrid, it's because trent finish his contract and didn't bring benefit to Liverpool transfer market. He should continue his contract then the transfer budget bring more benefit to the club growth
& You Think Liverpool Would Have Sold Him? 🤔
GaddafiJamal
0
this exactly has been my point of view about this whole thing from the beginning
The Thing Is Liverpool Won’t Sell Him & He Also Has Dreams, So The Only Best Option Is This Way.. It’s The Same Like Mbappe’s Saga. How Many Times Did Madrid Try To Get Him & PSG Turning Down The Offer? No Team Wants Their Best Players To Leave But If The Player Has Other Dreams, Then They Can Easily Run Down Their Contract & The Clubs Can’t Have Any Say Again 🤷♂️
Fabs_D
0
If he wasn't leaving for free then I doubt they would've booed him...
this exactly has been my point of view about this whole thing from the beginning
martin_bhengu
2
If he wasn't leaving for free then I doubt they would've booed him...
lozlopyz
0
if he left for a fee, no boo because it's a win win. the issue is leaving for free that's where the pain is. a generational talent as such should give us cash to improve what he is leaving behind
it's not his duty to give you or the club the cash,it's the clubs responsibility to ensure contracts aren't allowed to run down!
lozlopyz
0
Haha Madrid will always b the giant
Everytime!
lozlopyz
0
Liverpool is the best club in England check the statistics numbers don't lie
so what?R.madrid is not from.england ,capish?
lozlopyz
0
The problem is that he left for free
How is that his blame to take? it's the clubs duty to ensure it doesn't happen!
lozlopyz
0
I say, don't play him again, not even sub, remove every evidence of him from anfield NOW, let him rot.
You are a bitter soul!😄
lozlopyz
0
I think we fans should get this fact in our minds, most of these footballers are not our fans but workers, and they have a right to pasture or new employers, just like clubs release them when they do not perform to expectations, there should be no fuss each time. They wanna move forward with their lives or seek to work elsewhere. Just the fans; these people deserve the right to a choice. It's their freedom
very true.
lozlopyz
0
Liverpool management were reckless and allowed his contract to run out. were they not privy to the number of years left in their players 's contract? Yet they took things for granted just like Arsenal used to do those days under Wenger . They lost a number of important players like Van Persie, Nasir, Flamini etc. Liverpool management could have even lost Sallah and Van Dyk and to eventually agree outrageous contracts in order to keep them back. Somebody somewhere is not doing his job if not Trent's contract could not have ran down. if he insists on not signing another contract, the club could have sold him since last year and not lose everything. supporters should ask questions and stop misplacing or transferring their angers. They should leave Trent alone and blame their own inefficiencies.
100% on point! those are the facts.
lozlopyz
0
lf u offered better wages won't u make that move?lets not forget that playing soccer is also their daily job so lets take it from that perspective.Trent is a liverpool employee so he has to make more money now b4 retirement.
it's not even about the money,Liverpool could offer more money than he's getting at Madrid,it's about the prestige and class of R.madrid as a club! Jude was being offered way way more money by Man city but he chose R.madrid from Dortmund! same case with Mbappe ,PSG was offering more than twice the wages he get at R.madrid,but he still left ! so it's not always about the money! R.madrid as a football club has an aura that no club can ever match,and it's an honour for a player to say,they played for R.madrid! you can't buy that.
lozlopyz
0
Football has no retired pension, so let him(Trent) be.
correct!
lozlopyz
0
it's not about trent going to real madrid, it's because trent finish his contract and didn't bring benefit to Liverpool transfer market. He should continue his contract then the transfer budget bring more benefit to the club growth
Liverpool foolishly allowed his contract to run down,it's the club that should take the blame not the player! They should have sold him earlier,they refused to because they realized his contribution to the club was bigger than the transfer fee they would sell him! infact,they rejected a £20m offer in Jan ,with less that 6 months on this contract! why then blame the player?
lozlopyz
0
The fans bopong TAA are delusional,no club is as big as Madrid and it's every players dream to play for the best club in the world if and when the opportunity arises! there will always be selfish fans ... TAA has won whatever is possible possible and has earned the right make a choice that makes him happy in his life and try a new challenge and environment! after his service to Liverpool,he certainly deserves that!
Memaceiklu
0
Good but his mate Rio doesn’t. Someone please tell him
Zuliconic
0
it's not about trent going to real madrid, it's because trent finish his contract and didn't bring benefit to Liverpool transfer market. He should continue his contract then the transfer budget bring more benefit to the club growth
Lowackmotz
0
Useless Scholes
AFerusmc6546
0
Tell us you're one of the kids that comment without sense in this app without saying it.
Look u are useless lik dis
AFerusmc6546
0
Tell us you're one of the kids that comment without sense in this app without saying it.
Bro u are juss useless juss lik man u
wopcdlosty
0
Many players in years has been leaving Liverpool to RM or Barcelona. It says a lot about their value in global Ratings. Even many players prefer Man U than Liverpool despite their lethargic form still it's still other people's dream to play for Man U than Liverpool. So this fans who think players will stick to this club they are Delusional
jadacdint
2
Football has no retired pension, so let him(Trent) be.
Mrbank
0
lf u offered better wages won't u make that move?lets not forget that playing soccer is also their daily job so lets take it from that perspective.Trent is a liverpool employee so he has to make more money now b4 retirement.
i can see you don't read at all , they offered him , a mega contract , he refused , then he want to go to where his heart belongs ,
Latacdimp
1
lf u offered better wages won't u make that move?lets not forget that playing soccer is also their daily job so lets take it from that perspective.Trent is a liverpool employee so he has to make more money now b4 retirement.
Sofreshh
0
How are Liverpool fans complaining when they the main reason he’s leaving, yall said coady was better than Trent so Sybau 🤣🤣🤣
Sofreshh
0
I say, don't play him again, not even sub, remove every evidence of him from anfield NOW, let him rot.
Stfu
chuckky
5
Liverpool is the best team in the premier league. numbers don't lie but they are not on Real Madrid level
mchidi030
0
Scholes can understand your frustration too.
Ah go lie 4 u 😂😂😂😂
SeeAreSeven
0
I say, don't play him again, not even sub, remove every evidence of him from anfield NOW, let him rot.
Scholes can understand your frustration too.
AFerPvxp8676
0
It's a new tactics by Real Madrid . Im sure they learn from it and not wait until last minute to discuss about renewal contract with player anymore. Madrid offer Trent big money but need to come there for free. Surely Liverpool try to convince him to stay , but Trent already make his mind
No no don’t call it a Madrid tactic many teams did this before plus Trent wasn’t treated fairly in the first place he was severely underpaid for how much he did don’t blame Madrid blame your own club for being careless
Neadenpstu
5
I say, don't play him again, not even sub, remove every evidence of him from anfield NOW, let him rot.
AbdulZaks008
0
Good luck to united and any others teams, but between, Spurs, betis, Crystal palace and PSG 1 or 2 will still need to wait
lol seems
wizluvawak4u
1
In This Season... Kane won his first major trophy at 31 years old 🏆 Newcastle United lifted their first major trophy in 70 years 🏆 Bologna ended their 51-year wait for a major trophy 🏆 Spurs, Betis and Crystal Palace are in FINAL and have the opportunity to break their trophy drought next with PSG on course to win first ever UCL title in club,s history 😳👀 They could, Couldn't they?
Good luck to united and any others teams, but between, Spurs, betis, Crystal palace and PSG 1 or 2 will still need to wait
Widbiltz
4
Thank you Scholes
PemiOladapo
1
Some of us actually understand also. But that doesn't minimise the pain of losing a player in his prime. We wish him success wherever he goes. Though we don't want Madrid winning champions league again. somebody has to catch up
buhaknotuy
0
if he left for a fee, no boo because it's a win win. the issue is leaving for free that's where the pain is. a generational talent as such should give us cash to improve what he is leaving behind
why did Liverpool let his contract run out
laknopruz
1
Liverpool management were reckless and allowed his contract to run out. were they not privy to the number of years left in their players 's contract? Yet they took things for granted just like Arsenal used to do those days under Wenger . They lost a number of important players like Van Persie, Nasir, Flamini etc. Liverpool management could have even lost Sallah and Van Dyk and to eventually agree outrageous contracts in order to keep them back. Somebody somewhere is not doing his job if not Trent's contract could not have ran down. if he insists on not signing another contract, the club could have sold him since last year and not lose everything. supporters should ask questions and stop misplacing or transferring their angers. They should leave Trent alone and blame their own inefficiencies.
It's a new tactics by Real Madrid . Im sure they learn from it and not wait until last minute to discuss about renewal contract with player anymore. Madrid offer Trent big money but need to come there for free. Surely Liverpool try to convince him to stay , but Trent already make his mind
Laccdekprt
0
if it's a man United player he won't understand
Luukmnotuy
4
Liverpool management were reckless and allowed his contract to run out. were they not privy to the number of years left in their players 's contract? Yet they took things for granted just like Arsenal used to do those days under Wenger . They lost a number of important players like Van Persie, Nasir, Flamini etc. Liverpool management could have even lost Sallah and Van Dyk and to eventually agree outrageous contracts in order to keep them back. Somebody somewhere is not doing his job if not Trent's contract could not have ran down. if he insists on not signing another contract, the club could have sold him since last year and not lose everything. supporters should ask questions and stop misplacing or transferring their angers. They should leave Trent alone and blame their own inefficiencies.
deoaikoryz
6
I think we fans should get this fact in our minds, most of these footballers are not our fans but workers, and they have a right to pasture or new employers, just like clubs release them when they do not perform to expectations, there should be no fuss each time. They wanna move forward with their lives or seek to work elsewhere. Just the fans; these people deserve the right to a choice. It's their freedom
vokabmnpsy
1
Bellingham's ego beginning to show, the honeymoon period is over, now he's showing his true colour, TAA NO guarantee a success in his company, so wait and see whether it's going to be glory or agony
Daresadibo
4
The problem is that he left for free
AbdulZaks008
0
You're spot on and a wonderful analysis. I love to see sensible comments like this. However, for Spurs, I hope not because United has to win. 😂
lol
bocimnstz
2
Haha Madrid will always b the giant
Leybikpsuz
4
Liverpool is the best club in England check the statistics numbers don't lie
Yodbeikmrt
2
if he left for a fee, no boo because it's a win win. the issue is leaving for free that's where the pain is. a generational talent as such should give us cash to improve what he is leaving behind
Davichi
0
Spurs will win n united will cry
Tell us you're one of the kids that comment without sense in this app without saying it.