Wayne Rooney launches passionate Trent Alexander-Arnold defense as ex-Liverpool star booed

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.

Alexander-Arnold is back at his boyhood club for the first time since leaving the Reds during the summer, with Liverpool taking on Real Madrid in its latest Champions League encounter. Alexander-Arnold was booed by fans inside Anfield as he made his way out to warm up along with Real’s other substitutes, mirroring the reaction that greeted him after he announced his decision to leave the club back in May.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been named on Real Madrid's bench against Liverpool (Image: Getty Images) “How can you deny a young lad in the prime of his career the opportunity to go and play for Real Madrid? “The service he gave to Liverpool and the trophies he’s won here at Liverpool is incredible, but now he’s gone on to a new challenge, and Real Madrid, it’s very difficult to turn them down, so I wish him all the best, and I hope he gets a good reception.” Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge then chimed in: “Wayne, question for you, did you turn Real Madrid down at any point?” This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.

Learn more Rooney responded: “No, the only other club bigger than Real Madrid is Manchester United, so I went to them!” Rooney was backed up by former Arsenal forward Theor Walcott, who insisted there was nothing wrong with the manner in which Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool after he ran down his contract last season. “Let’s not forget as well, he served his contract, so he did everything asked of him, he still worked to his full potential and his levels every single day in training, he showed up, he performed.