Phil McNulty
Chief football writer
‘It’s got to sting’ – Trent Alexander-Arnold’s hostile Anfield reception
On a raucous night at Anfield, Conor Bradley fuelled the fury and scorn aimed in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s direction with a magnificent display against Real Madrid. He reduced the formidable Vinicius Jr to a passenger that was only able to offer theatrics – poor theatrics at that – in the face of the youngster’s physical dominance.
Every Bradley tackle was cheered to the echo, every pass greeted with Anfield’s approval and his name chanted with gusto, not just for his own efforts but as a voluble reminder to Alexander-Arnold that there was a new kid in town, that he was now firmly a figure from the past.
Bradley, unsurprisingly, even won the admiration of head coach Arne Slot.
“Conor Bradley was outstanding,” he said. “To be up against Vinicius so many times one against one is not for everyone, but he was outstanding.”
It was a day of unrelenting ill-feeling aimed in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s direction, from his mural near Anfield being vandalised with the words “Adios El Rata” before the game to the Anfield anger provoked by what many Liverpool fans regard as his betrayal.
If the insults daubed on Alexander-Arnold’s mural did not make him aware of what was awaiting him, he was left in no doubt when he trotted on to warm up as one of Real Madrid’s substitutes before kick-off, jeers ringing around Anfield, the sound of disapproval repeated when his name was read out.
And just when it looked like he might escape the full-scale vitriol, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso introduced him as an 81st-minute substitute as they tried to level Liverpool’s lead, deservedly given to them by Alexis Mac Allister’s header just after the hour.
The response to Alexander-Arnold’s arrival was savage, as were the mocking jeers that greeted a late cross that drifted aimlessly out of play.
Alexander-Arnold’s unhappy cameo was played out to the sound of Liverpool’s fans reminding him of those who had stayed loyal despite temptations and opportunities to leave Anfield, namely former captain Steven Gerrard, who watched on from the stands.
This was Liverpool’s night, Bradley’s night – the sort of night Anfield revels in as the presence of their former star acted as an even more potent catalyst to turn up the volume.
Read Phil’s full piece
