Arne Slot says ‘everyone is entitled to their opinion’ amid Alexander-Arnold boos | OneFootball

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says supporters “have the right to their own opinion” after Trent Alexander-Arnold was subjected to boos.

Alexander-Arnold announced last week he would be leaving the club at the end of the season when his contract expires. In the first match since the announcement, the 26-year-old was left on the bench by Slot in place of Conor Bradley for their 2-2 draw against Arsenal.

After his introduction in the 67th minute, the right back was booed by large sections of Anfield. Slot says the fans have the right to react how they fit to do so, but was adamant parts of the stadium were behind their departing right back.

“In general and life, the good thing about living in Europe, everyone can have their opinion,” Slot said. “That’s the same here in Liverpool. There were people who were not so happy, there were people who were happy for him.

“They clapped for him. A few of them booed. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Towards the end, a few of them got more and more positive. But for me, it’s simple. I owe it to the team, to the fans, to play a team that can win a game of football.

“Trent showed it because he had two or three incredible balls. We were so close to winning it, partly because of him. For me, it’s not that difficult. And for the fans, they can have the reaction they want. I will always back my players, the ones I lead and wear the red shirt.

“They sang for Steven Gerrard – which is a nice thing to do, I think. They also sang for Conor Bradley which is also nice, because he deserves it. Conor played a very good game. Just before Trent took the free-kick, I heard more people clapping for him, hoping that he’d score. Then people booing him.

“Everyone has the right to their own opinion, but it would not be fair to the whole of Liverpool to focus on the few that booed. If they want to, it’s fine by me. But there were a lot of people who were really positive as well.”