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Jamie Carragher has defended the hostile reception received by Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right back's first return to Anfield since leaving Liverpool in the summer.
The 27-year-old joined Real Madrid in May on a six-year contract, shortly after the Liverpool academy graduate won the Premier League with his boyhood club.
Alexander-Arnold's summer departure had caused a backlash from the Liverpool fanbase, with many angry that the full back had let his contract run down, preventing the club from garnering a significant fee. He would ultimately complete a £10m move with Real Madrid opting to sign him ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Ahead of Tuesday night's meeting between the two teams, his mural near the stadium on Sybil Road – which shows the defender alongside the words, 'I'm just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has come true' – was defaced with the words 'adios el rata' (Spanish for 'goodbye rat').
Speaking on CBS, Peter Schmeichel described the reception Alexander-Arnold received in the lead-up to the match as 'disgusting'.
The former Manchester United goalkeeper said: 'I find it annoying, disgusting in a way. He's won every trophy and given them 20 years of his career. He should be welcomed back as a hero.'
The right back came on in the 81st minute for Arda Guler to the expected boos and whistles, which followed his every subsequent touch as Real Madrid sunk to a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool
Ahead of Tuesday night's meeting between the two teams, Alexander-Arnold's mural near the stadium on Sybil Road was defaced with the words 'adios el rata' (Spanish for 'goodbye rat')
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who spent his entire 17-year career at the club, felt differently, however.
Carragher said: 'I don't agree with what you said there. Supporters decide what type of reaction he gets. The reason why it will be poor is because Trent, throughout those 20 years, has played the position of "I'm a supporter on the pitch".
'The supporters in the stadium wouldn't leave on a free transfer and go and play for Real Madrid. OK, it's his career and he only gets one. He's a young man and he's been brilliantly successful.
'But what he's said since he got in the Liverpool team, if that were to be true, that Liverpool is the only team for him and he wants to be captain and be a legend here, then you don't leave when you've just won the league title and you've got the opportunity to go and win more trophies with your club.
'You join a club that's beaten you twice in the Champions League final and they're the club you want to compete more to win more Champions Leagues? I totally understand the reaction of the supporters.
'A lot of it is because they feel they've been hoodwinked a little bit by Trent throughout the process of him being at the club and also in the last year, where he hasn't done any media interviews or said anything.
'There was talk around him, Salah and Van Dijk - who were both coming out constantly in the press saying they want to stay. Trent was very silent on the issue - and that's where the frustration comes from for supporters.'
Alexander-Arnold was named on the bench having not featured since suffering a hamstring injury on September 16.
The 27-year-old joined Real Madrid in May on a six-year contract, shortly after the Liverpool academy graduate won the Premier League title with his boyhood club under Arne Slot
Despite getting a tough reaction from the crowd though, Alexander-Arnold received a warm reception from his former team-mates after the match, sharing a hug with old boss Arne Slot
He came on in the 81st minute for Arda Guler to the expected boos and whistles, which followed his every subsequent touch as Real Madrid sunk to a 1-0 defeat to the Premier League champions.
Despite getting a tough reaction from the crowd though, Alexander-Arnold received a warm reception from his former team-mates after the match. He shared a hug with former boss Arne Slot and Ibrahima Konate.
When asked prior to the match about the possible reception he could receive from Liverpool fans, Alexander-Arnold insisted his feelings to the club will not change.
'Whatever way I'm received, is the decision of the fans,' he told Amazon Prime.
'I'll always love the club, I'll always be a fan of the club. I'll always be thankful for the opportunities and the things we achieved together, they'll live with me forever.'
Captain Virgil van Dijk revealed on Monday that he has had no contact with his former team-mate ahead of the Champions League tie, with the Dutchman viewing Alexander-Arnold as an 'opponent'.
Asked what reception he was expecting, Van Dijk flipped the question on reporters and said: ‘Do you want it to be hostile on Tuesday night? I'm not going to say any of that. Do you want it to be hostile?
‘I'm not going to comment on that. I think he's been outstanding in his time in Liverpool and that's the only thing I can say.’
On Monday night, Alexander-Arnold paid tribute to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota.
On Monday night, Alexander-Arnold paid tribute to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota
Alexander-Arnold laid flowers and an accompanying note
Jota, 28, and his younger brother, Andre - who was 26 and also a professional footballer from the Portuguese second division - were killed in July when their Lamborghini veered off the A‑52 motorway near Cernadilla following a tyre blowout while they were overtaking.
Alexander-Arnold laid flowers in memory of the Jota brothers outside Anfield.
Accompanying a message with the flowers, it read: 'My mate Diogo. You are so missed but still so loved. Yours and Andre's memory will always live on.
'I smile every time I think about you and will always remember the great times we shared. Miss you mate, every day. Love Trent and family. Forever 20. YNWA.'
A red PlayStation console pad was also put down at the scene in honour of Jota's well-known love of gaming. The red Playstation pad was signed: 'Forever a champion 20. YNWA.'
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, defender Dean Huijsen and club legend Emilio Butragueno also paid their respects.
