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Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has perfectly articulated the reasons that Trent Alexander-Arnold was booed by Reds supporters on his first appearance at Anfield as an opposition player.
Xabi Alonso sent Alexander-Arnold on in the second half with Real Madrid chasing the game. He replaced Arda Guler but was unable to make much of an impact on the game with a couple of misplaced passes and an overhit cross.
"I wasn't surprised, and I don't think Trent would have been surprised if I'm being totally honest," Carragher said on CBS Sports. "There is obviously a lot of strong feeling in the city around him moving.
"I was a local boy playing for Liverpool and living in Liverpool, and in the city, we live and breathe football every single day. Even though I'm not a player anymore, all we talk about is Liverpool.
"So when one of your own moves on and makes a decision that 99 per cent of the supporters think 'I wouldn't do that', a local player for Liverpool has to embody those supporters.
"I know what Trent is going through and the difficulties that you can have. But leaving Liverpool isn't easy.
"The one thing I would say about the reaction, he has always stated that, 'I'm just a supporter on the pitch.' He wanted to be captain and be a Liverpool legend.
"Liverpool won the league title last season and could win the Champions League this season. Why don't you want more of that?
"And there is also another element where Liverpool supporters felt let down. I wouldn't say he divides opinion because he is a fantastic talent, and that is why Real Madrid wanted him. That is why he has won so much.
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"But he does get a fair share of criticism. Liverpool supporters feel they have gone out to bat for Trent. Liverpool supporters have been fighting his corner constantly. That is why the reaction is what it is.
"I hope over time that it softens. He's been a brilliant player for Liverpool, and to actually have the ability to play for Real Madrid takes some doing.
"But the feeling is really strong right now. I can totally understand the reaction, and I'm sure Trent can as well."
Liverpool.com says: Alexander-Arnold was always going to get jeered. In a way, it was a surprise that Alonso decided to bring him on. The crowd was already loud, but that was only ever going to further liven things up.
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