Trent Alexander-Arnold opens up on abuse after acrimonious Liverpool departure, admitting it ‘hurts’ as he hopes for ‘understanding’ from fans over his move to Real Madrid
Trent Alexander-Arnold has expressed hope Liverpool fans will one day understand his decision to join Real Madrid, after admitting he has been ‘hurt’ by abuse received following the move.
Alexander-Arnold joined the Spanish giants in the summer of 2025, with the Liverpool academy graduate signing a six-year deal.
The full back’s departure had caused a backlash from the Liverpool fanbase, with many angry that he had let his contract run down, preventing the club from garnering a significant fee.
Alexander-Arnold ultimately completed a £10million move with Real Madrid opting to sign him ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The 27-year-old has now opened up on abuse he received following the move, including on social media.
Prior to his return to Anfield last season for a Champions League tie, a mural dedicated to Alexander-Arnold had also been defaced with the words ‘adios el rata’ (Spanish for ‘goodbye rat’).
Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered jeers on his return to Liverpool last season with Real Madrid
The full back admits the abuse following his move to Real Madrid ‘hurts’, including seeing a mural in his honour vandalised with the word ‘rat’
‘Abuse online and threats made via social DMs or in other ways are a sad part of life in 2026 if you’re in the public eye and doing things that create a lot of attention. I choose to keep those things away from me because they don’t feel real,’ Alexander-Arnold told the Daily Mirror.
‘I can rationalise that by knowing it’s not representative of a football club I love, Liverpool, and it’s not representative of my home city.’
Alexander-Arnold had been booed on his return to Anfield, when the full back was introduced as a substitute.
The Real Madrid star admitted he could understand the reception but expressed hope Liverpool fans will become more understanding in time.
‘The booing and disappointment from Liverpool supporters is something I’m absolutely able to shoulder. I can understand it, in my own way,’ Alexander-Arnold added.
‘I heard a lot during that period that Liverpool fans didn’t want to be told how to feel or think, and I agree. But I hope one day there’ll be a degree of understanding about the decisions I wanted to make around my own life.
‘It hurts because of how much I’ve put into the club over the course of 20 years and the sacrifices I made for the club during that period.
Alexander-Arnold, who enjoyed a trophy laden spell at Liverpool, expressed hope fans will understand his decision in time
‘So of course it hurts, but I understand the disappointment. I even understand anger expressed through booing.’
Alexander-Arnold enjoyed stunning success during his time at Liverpool, helping the club to win two Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2019.
The Reds also won the FA Cup, two Carabao Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during his long spell at the club.
Alexander-Arnold had a mixed debut campaign with Real Madrid last season, with the Spanish giants finishing trophyless for the second successive campaign.
The full back made 35 appearances during a season which was disrupted by a series of injuries.
