Jamie Carragher expressed surprise regarding the boos directed at Trent Alexander-Arnold during the match against Arsenal.
The Liverpool defender was met with boos upon replacing Conor Bradley and continued to be jeered whenever he touched the ball.
Supporters at Anfield sang Bradley`s name, clearly indicating their feelings about Alexander-Arnold`s anticipated departure.
Carragher stated that he felt the fans` reaction was unfair, considering the trophies Alexander-Arnold has helped the club win.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the pundit commented that this incident would be the main talking point after the match and feature prominently in the news.
He added, “I`m surprised by the extent of the boos. In my opinion, no player who has worn the red shirt and won trophies for the club should be booed.”
“Booing one of your own players during a game is unacceptable to me.”
Carragher felt the booing went too far, suggesting it might have been Alexander-Arnold`s final appearance and that Liverpool doesn`t need such distractions.
He advised that if fans are unhappy, they should support other players like Conor Bradley or legends like Steven Gerrard, rather than booing, which invites criticism from other fanbases about Liverpool supporters.
Despite the negative reception, the 26-year-old Alexander-Arnold walked around the pitch after the final whistle, applauding the supporters. Gary Neville described the treatment as “not pleasant”.
The England international recently confirmed his decision to leave Liverpool when his contract expires at the end of the season, with Real Madrid expected to be his next club.
This contrasts with Carragher`s earlier stance where he suggested that fan anger towards Alexander-Arnold was “justified” and “bound to stir emotions.”
Explaining his previous view, he said: “Liverpool`s objective is to win more Premier League and Champions League titles.”
“Anything that hinders this goal is a threat.”
“While some may disagree with this intense reaction to losing a key player, this competitive mindset is fundamental to Liverpool`s success and is common among elite clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, or Manchester United.”
“By departing, Alexander-Arnold makes it more difficult for his current club to pursue its 21st league title and seventh European Cup.”
“Naturally, this situation is bound to provoke strong feelings.”
