Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has given his take on the actions of the club’s supporters who decided to boo Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, 26, was met with a mix of reactions from the Anfield crowd during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal last Sunday. As he came off the bench in the second half, parts of the home support booed him—a response that followed his recent announcement confirming he would leave the club when his contract expires in June 2025.
While some fans showed their support by applauding the right-back and chanting the names of Conor Bradley and Steven Gerrard, the negative reaction caused significant debate among supporters and pundits alike.
Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher expressed his disapproval of the boos during his appearance on Sky Sports:
“I was surprised by how many joined in,” he said. “In my opinion, no player who’s won trophies for this club and wears the red shirt should be subjected to that. Booing your own players during a match isn’t something I support.”
Mohamed Salah also weighed in during a Sky Sports interview with Gary Neville, aired on Friday, May 16. He was frank in his criticism of the fans’ behavior toward Alexander-Arnold, stating:
“I think the fans were a bit harsh on him.”
Mohamed Salah has come to the defense of Trent Alexander-Arnold following the surprising reaction he received from some Liverpool supporters during last week’s match against Arsenal. The right-back, who recently announced he will leave the club at the end of his contract in June 2025, was met with a mix of cheers and boos when he was substituted onto the pitch at Anfield—a response that sparked widespread debate.
Salah, speaking in a candid interview with Gary Neville, expressed his disappointment with the negative reception.
“I don’t think he deserved that, not at all,” Salah said. “He gave everything to the fans. He should’ve been treated with the utmost respect.”
When asked if the crowd’s reaction saddened him, Salah didn’t hold back:
“Absolutely. I was surprised. That’s not who we are as Liverpool fans. We’ve always appreciated those who gave even a few months to the club—so imagine someone who’s been here for nearly 20 years. It shouldn’t end like this.”
Salah also shared a personal moment he had with Alexander-Arnold ahead of the defender’s farewell:
“I told him not to make eye contact with me when he says goodbye. I really love him. He’s done so much for this city, for this club. He’s one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history.”
According to Salah, Alexander-Arnold had been seeking a new challenge:
“He talked to me about it. He’s only 25 or 26 and has already won everything, two or three times over. What more can he achieve here? He needs something different. People don’t always understand how hard it is mentally to spend 20 years at the same club. Even if you love the place, it’s tough.”
The Egyptian forward concluded by expressing his support and ongoing friendship with his longtime teammate:
“I wish him nothing but the best. I’ll always stay in touch with him.”
While Alexander-Arnold’s next move hasn’t been confirmed, strong speculation links him with a summer transfer to Real Madrid.
