Andy Robertson and Arne Slot admitted that the Liverpool supporters had the right to express how they felt about Trent Alexander-Arnold after receiving an enemy reception during the 2-2 draw with Arsenal in Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold confirmed that he is leaving Liverpool for pastures this summer and has ended a 20-year union, at which the Academy series rose twice to win the Premier League, the Champions League, and to be appointed vicapitan of the club.
Many supporters of Liverpool expressed anger and contempt on social media in the decision of Alexander-Arnold, and the hostilities were continued with arsenal before and during the game. The 26-year-old was booed when he came as a replacement in the second half and replaced his probable successor Conor Bradley, and the reaction continued every time he touched the ball.
After the match, Robertson was absolutely the positive influence of Alexander-Arnold on his individual career, but it was not nice to see how his teammate was used by Liverpool fans.
“Disappointed to lose a good friend, he is an amazing player and an amazing person,” said Robertson Sky Sport. “He pushed me through and made me a better player. His legacy will always be there, he has done so much for this club.
“For me, he will be missing for me as one of my best friends in the game, we did everything together. He brought me to level, of whom I never knew it existed. It was not easy for Trent, but he made the decision. It was not nice to see how he was swinging, but you can’t tell people how to feel.”
Slot repeated Robertson’s feelings in his own comments after the match and explained: “Everyone can have their own opinion and they can express it in a way that they want.
“I have heard mixed opinions, but the only opinion I have is that I owe it to players and fans to win a football game, and if Conor Bradley cannot continue because he is tired and I have Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench, I will bring it in because we want to win this football game.
“He was very close to us that we won it because he had two or three passes – which makes him so special. For me it is very easy if I want to win, I bring him in and I have done that and for fans you have the right to have your own opinion.”
Alexander-Arnold is expected to sign a long-term deal in the footsteps of Michael Owen and Steve McManaman at Real Madrid.