(Credit: Imago)

Liverpool fans rage at Arne Slot as Alexander-Arnold fall-out intensifies

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

Published on:

12 May 2025, 6:13 am

Arne Slot has been slammed after his decision to bring on Trent Alexander-Arnold created a "toxic" atmosphere in Liverpool's draw with Arsenal.

Arsenal gave Liverpool a guard of honour ahead of kick-off after Slot's side wrapped up the Premier League title with four games to spare, but the Reds' strong start to a celebratory match soon soured.

The Gunners were all at sea as Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz scored twice within two first-half minutes of each other, but the balance of the match and the atmosphere changed on one key decision from Slot.

Slot's decision to introduce Alexander-Arnold midway through the second half after Gabriel Martinelli had reduced the deficit early on led to plenty boos and jeers around Anfield, and Mikel Merino equalised within three minutes.

Conor Bradley started at right-back against Arsenal instead of Alexander-Arnold (Credit: Imago)

Alexander-Arnold reaction overshadows Liverpool v Arsenal

After Alexander-Arnold confirmed his departure from Liverpool at the end of the season, many fans have turned their attention to what comes next, but those inside Anfield certainly made their feelings known.

Conor Bradley started at right-back in a show of confidence from Slot that he's the man to succeed Alexander-Arnold long-term, as Liverpool plan to abandon their pursuit of a ready-made replacement.

The introduction of Alexander-Arnold and chorus of boos at Anfield have led the likes of Rio Ferdinand to criticise Liverpool supporters for their treatment of the 26-year-old, and those fans haven't taken kindly to such accusations.

Alexander-Arnold looks set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

'Slot ruined the game' – fans slam Alexander-Arnold decision

Although Alexander-Arnold retains the support of his Liverpool team-mates with two games to go until his expected move to Real Madrid on a free transfer, fans have now taken aim at Slot's decision-making.

The entire mood of Anfield shifted from "party vibes to tension-filled" as a result of Alexander-Arnold's second-half cameo, and Liverpool fans saw the clear correlation with Arsenal's revival soon afterwards.

Slot's "pointless" and "stupid" decision to bring on his number 66 produced a "toxic" atmosphere which spun the match on its head, and with Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool career soon to end regardless, Reds fans urged their manager to "freeze him out and move on".

Trent Alexander-Arnold has made this whole game so toxic. Should be nowhere near the team. No idea why Arne Slot is giving him game time, too. Why?
— - (@AnfieldRd96) May 11, 2025

Slot's managerial calls have been close to spotless, but using Trent today was a bad one. There is nothing to gain by him featuring.

Trent was under scrutiny in that position at the best of times, now he has pressure from LFC supporters as well as the media. It feels pointless.
— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) May 11, 2025

Absolutely zero reason to bring Trent on. Done nothing but negatively impact everybody in the stadium, slot really does make some stupid decisions sometimes
— SLOT OUT (@ShaunlfcT) May 11, 2025

I don’t think Trent will even want to play any part in the last two games after that, he looked shook. I think Slot probably underestimated aswell the feeling around it and regrets bringing him on.

It would have been better all round to leave him on the bench but it’s done now.
— Biggies Malls 2.0 (@Biggies_MaIIs) May 11, 2025

All the talk is now about Trent. Post match interviews, post match punditry, newspaper articles, social media.

We just had a guard of honour from our nearest Title rivals. That should be the narrative. Bringing Trent on created this. It was a mistake by Slot imo.
— Red (@TaintlessRed) May 11, 2025

I don’t get what Arne Slot’s point of bringing Trent on? He has literally checked out from us and we obviously hate him for what he did. Just freeze him out and move on.
— Samuel (@SamueILFC) May 11, 2025

Trent shouldn’t have touched the pitch until the last game of the season, poor decision from Slot. Really ruined the game
— 🥤 (@TheImmortalKop) May 11, 2025

Hopefully Slot learns from that and doesn’t play Trent again. The fans should never be put in a position where they could potentially boo a player in Red. The atmosphere went from party vibes to a tension filled stadium.
— AGT (@alexgildeatrott) May 12, 2025

Arsenal

Liverpool FC

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Arne Slot