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Trent Alexander-Arnold appears set for hostile reception at Anfield in the Champions League after his mural in Liverpool was vandalised prior to his first return to the club as a Real Madrid player.
A mural on the corner of Sybil Road near Anfield features Alexander-Arnold in a Liverpool shirt.
The mural includes Alexander-Arnold's reaction to winning the Champions League in 2019, when he declared: 'I'm just a normal lad from Liverpool, whose dream has just come true.'
Prior to his return in the same competition on Tuesday with Real Madrid, images have surfaced of the mural having been defaced.
White paint has been thrown over the depiction of Alexander-Arnold in his former No 66 Liverpool shirt.
The words 'Adios El Rata' - 'Goodbye Rat' - have also been written on the mural, along with three further statements declaring their former star to be a 'rat'.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's mural in Liverpool has been vandalised with the message 'Adios el Rata' ahead of his return to the club as a Real Madrid player in the Champions League
The mural - created back in 2019 - had been pictured without damage on Monday
Alexander-Arnold could be braced for a hostile reception on his first return to Anfield
It is the third time Alexander-Arnold's mural has been vandalised, with 'Rat' having been painted on prior to his final appearance for Liverpool back in May.
The word was later removed with the mural fully restored.
It had previously been vandalised with blue paint ahead of the Merseyside derby with Everton back in 2022, prompting a backlash from Liverpool fans.
The mural was initially commissioned by Liverpool podcast and fanzine The Anfield Wrap in honour of Alexander-Arnold, with the image created by French graffiti artist Akse.
It included a dedication for 'Fans Supporting Foodbanks', which Alexander-Arnold had supported during his time at the 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.
Alexander-Arnold would ultimately complete a £10m move with Real Madrid opting to sign him ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The reception he receives on Tuesday night is a major area of interest when the boyhood Liverpool fan returns to the club he helped win two Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Alexander-Arnold had angered a section of the Liverpool fanbase with the nature of his exit
Virgil van Dijk says he and Trent Alexander-Arnold have not spoken personally since the latter left Liverpool
When asked 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,' Alexander-Arnold 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.
'No matter what, my feelings won't change towards Liverpool. I've got memories there that will last me a lifetime, and no matter how I'm received, that won't change.'
Liverpool fans booed Alexander-Arnold immediately after he announced he was leaving the club as they felt hurt that the local lad turned his back on them, though the distasteful feeling had mellowed somewhat by the time he played his final game.
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.’
Alexander-Arnold laid down flowers in memory of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre on Monday
He also left a heartbreaking message to ex-Liverpool team-mate Jota outside Anfield
On Monday night, Alexander-Arnold paid tribute to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota upon his return to Anfield.
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. TAA.'
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, defender Dean Huijsen and club legend Emilio Butragueno also paid their respects.
