Michael Owen was ‘Disappointed’ in Liverpool Fans Reaction to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Exit | OneFootball

Michael Owen Defends Trent Alexander-Arnold Amid Liverpool Backlash

Liverpool fans had plenty to celebrate this season. Arne Slot’s debut campaign in charge ended with the club lifting the Premier League title, returning to the summit of English football with a style and swagger reminiscent of the best Anfield sides. However, amidst the celebrations came a bitter sting — the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid.

Despite the £10 million compensation fee paid to Liverpool following the expiration of Alexander-Arnold’s contract, the nature of his exit struck a nerve. A homegrown talent, a boyhood Red, and a player who had been at the club for two decades — many fans expected a different ending.

When Alexander-Arnold appeared as a substitute at Anfield for the first time since announcing his move, sections of the crowd made their disappointment known. The boos were unmistakable. Michael Owen, a man who made a similar journey from Merseyside to Madrid — and whose legacy with Liverpool fans remains complicated — weighed in on the reaction.

Owen’s Plea for Understanding

Speaking on talkSPORT, Owen said he was “so disappointed” by the fans’ reaction. He added, “Of course, people are going to feel let down, a bit sore or disappointed, but this will never change.

“When it’s your job, you see it very differently. There’s no point me trying to stick up for him in any way as a fan wears that badge, they are proud of their badge and that’s never going to change.

“But in what other job do you get criticised for trying to better yourself, for just trying to be as good as you can in the shortest career of them all.”

Owen knows the terrain well. From Liverpool to Real Madrid, then on to Manchester United, his own journey was met with criticism. But his defence of Trent reflects a belief that players deserve to pursue their potential without being vilified.

Big Move, Bigger Risk

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to join Real Madrid is bold. At 26, he’s never known another club and is stepping into a spotlight few can handle. Yet, with a reported £1 billion release clause in his six-year deal, the Spanish giants are clearly banking on his success.

Statistically, his contribution to Liverpool was immense:

That final number is telling. His attacking output has always been central to Liverpool’s style, and under Xabi Alonso at Madrid — who is expected to implement a wing-back system — his influence could grow further. Fewer defensive duties and more licence to attack suit his profile perfectly.

With Kylian Mbappe among the forwards likely to benefit, the chance to link up with elite talent could make Alexander-Arnold’s playmaking even more lethal.

Pressure to Perform in Madrid

Of course, Real Madrid is not a club for sentiment. Patience is thin, expectations sky-high. But if Alexander-Arnold can channel the same creativity and precision he showed at Anfield, he could thrive.

What’s clear is that this isn’t just a story about a footballer moving abroad. It’s about identity, loyalty, legacy and ambition. Michael Owen’s words may not soften every critic, but they do pose a question Liverpool fans will have to wrestle with — can you blame a player for dreaming bigger when he’s already conquered his boyhood club?