Bellingham accuses Liverpool fans of booing Alexander-Arnold
Jude Bellingham has accused Liverpool fans of ‘trying to throw Trent Alexander-Arnold off’ by booing the 27-year-old during Tuesday night’s Champions League clash, reports BritPanorama.
Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory against Real Madrid at Anfield, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring the only goal following an impressive delivery from Dominik Szoboszlai. It was a challenging evening for Alexander-Arnold, who faced a hostile reception from the crowd, including boos when his name was announced pre-match.
Furthermore, Alexander-Arnold’s involvement was limited to just nine minutes after not being selected for a starting position by manager Xabi Alonso. Following the match, Bellingham suggested the fans were aiming to unsettle the former Liverpool player, stating, “The fans booing isn’t a reflection of how they feel about him.” He added, “I think it is more to give their team the edge and throw him off a little bit.”
Despite the tough environment, Bellingham addressed Madrid’s overall performance, admitting they did not perform at their best. “I think the scoreline reflects the game,” the England international remarked. He noted that while Madrid slightly improved in the second half, the momentum ultimately shifted in Liverpool’s favour.
Alexander-Arnold’s reception was acknowledged by Madrid’s manager Alonso, who indicated that such reactions were expected given the player’s history with Liverpool. “It could be expected,” Alonso remarked after the match. Liverpool’s coach, Arne Slot, also showed support for Alexander-Arnold, stating their brief post-match conversation included offering encouragement.
As both teams look ahead, Liverpool’s next challenge will be against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, aiming to return to winning ways. Real Madrid will face Rayo Vallecano at the same time.
This latest clash highlights the unpredictable intersection of player loyalties and fan expectations, especially within the emotional theatre of high-stakes football.
