Mikel Arteta Reveals what he said to Trent Alexander-Arnold after Liverpool Draw | OneFootball

Liverpool Fans Divided Over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Post-Match Moment with Mikel Arteta

Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield was expected to deliver Premier League drama—and it certainly did—but it wasn’t just the goals or refereeing decisions that sparked debate. Instead, the subplot involving Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mikel Arteta has gripped fans, splitting opinions across Merseyside.

The match itself was a tale of two halves. Liverpool, under newly crowned Premier League-winning boss Arne Slot, looked dominant early on. Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz found the net within two blistering minutes, exposing Arsenal’s defensive frailty and sending the Kop into raptures. But any thoughts of a comfortable afternoon were dashed when Gabriel Martinelli halved the deficit just after the break, followed by Mikel Merino’s equaliser midway through the second half.

That Merino would later see red in the 83rd minute gave Liverpool a numerical edge, but even with late pressure—including Andy Robertson’s disallowed effort in stoppage time—they couldn’t force a winner. Yet the match report tells only part of the story.

Photo: IMAGO

Substitution Sparks Rift with Home Crowd

The real storm brewed in the 67th minute. With the match finely poised, Trent Alexander-Arnold replaced Conor Bradley. Instead of the usual applause reserved for the hometown vice-captain, sections of Anfield responded with boos. This was no isolated incident, nor an expression of form-related discontent. The reaction was intimately tied to Alexander-Arnold’s announcement days earlier: his intention to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid on a free transfer.

The symbolism wasn’t lost on anyone. This was not just any player being substituted in. This was an academy product, a local lad, entering the field amid growing resentment. What was once unquestioned loyalty from fans had turned into audible mistrust.

Arteta Encounter Fans the Flames

Post-match, images emerged of Alexander-Arnold smiling and sharing a few words with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. In isolation, it might have passed unnoticed. But context is everything. The timing, the gesture, and the manner—a visible grin from the vice-captain—were enough to trigger an avalanche of criticism online.

Photo: IMAGO

For many Liverpool supporters, it was a moment that felt out of step with the emotional intensity of the afternoon. With his departure to Madrid looming, fans had hoped for a more solemn, perhaps even humble, demeanour from their soon-to-depart star. Instead, they saw a player seemingly at ease, sharing pleasantries with a rival manager.

Arteta, for his part, moved quickly to extinguish speculation. Speaking to ViaPlay after the match, the Arsenal boss clarified:

“I congratulate all of the players for that because they deserve it.”“They have been the best team and I am sure they have put a lot of work and joy into that title and they deserve to be congratulated.”

There was no farewell message for Madrid, no behind-the-scenes whisper of encouragement. Just a manager offering professional courtesy—at least publicly.

Slot’s Focus Remains on Results

Arne Slot, who has enjoyed a dream start by delivering Liverpool’s first Premier League title since 2020, remained characteristically composed amid the noise.

“I heard mixed reactions, but my focus is on winning games,” he told reporters.

With one home match left—against Crystal Palace—the Anfield crowd is now faced with a dilemma. Will they grant Alexander-Arnold the send-off his years of service warrant? Or will his exit be clouded by bitterness and the feeling of betrayal?

Ultimately, this is about more than just one match. It’s about identity, loyalty, and timing. Alexander-Arnold’s journey from academy prodigy to Champions League and Premier League winner has been intertwined with the club’s recent history. But football has a cruel habit of souring goodbyes.

Whether that chuckle with Arteta becomes a footnote or a defining moment depends entirely on how this final chapter is written at Anfield.