AFCON 2025
Jurgen Klopp has voiced his disappointment over the negative reception Trent Alexander-Arnold received from some Liverpool fans after the defender revealed plans to leave the club this summer.
The 26-year-old, who has spent his entire senior career at Liverpool, was met with boos from sections of the Anfield crowd when he came off the bench during the recent 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Alexander-Arnold is widely expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer and could feature for the Spanish giants at the upcoming Club World Cup.
Klopp, who managed Alexander-Arnold throughout his time at Liverpool before stepping down last summer, criticized the fan reaction during a speech at the LFC Foundation’s Gala Ball on Friday.
“I don’t want to tell anyone what they should think or have to think, but I can tell you what you think is wrong,” Klopp said.
“I don’t tell you you should not be disappointed, you should not be angry, I tell you don’t forget [what he’s done for this club]. This club doesn’t forget.”
Klopp went on to describe his personal reaction while watching the match on television.
“I watched the game when he came on and I heard the booing,” he added as he held up an Alexander-Arnold Liverpool shirt. “I am old so I thought it might be my hearing, so I switched up the volume and the booing again. I needed another 10 seconds to realise and I switched the TV off.
“I honestly couldn’t have been more disappointed in this moment. This is not us, 100% not us.
“Every day he gave absolutely everything for this badge. Now he decided after 20 years he decided he wanted to go somewhere else. If somebody should be angry about this it’s the owners but they are not.”
Alexander-Arnold’s impending departure marks the end of an era at Liverpool, with his development and success closely tied to Klopp’s time in charge.
