Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the Kop is entitled to react as they see fit to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to quit the club, but urged Anfield to focus solely on savouring a party atmosphere in the club’s remaining games.
Alexander-Arnold will not start against Arsenal on Sunday, where he faces home supporters for the first time since announcing he will leave at the end of the season.
There are mixed feelings about his move and it remains to be seen if those angry with the vice-captain for choosing a free transfer to Real Madrid over a new Liverpool contract show their feelings.
“I am not here to tell the fans how they should react,” said Slot.
“I think we are all disappointed, but Trent is the first one also who said that he would prefer us, as a team and as a club, not to be too much distracted by this announcement. So, I’m hoping that all the energy on Sunday goes to the players and to the support of our fans, and as little as possible to Trent – unless it’s positive. Then they can do whatever they want.
“I think, like everybody who likes Liverpool and who is a fan of Liverpool, we are disappointed for him leaving because not only is a good human being leaving the club but a very, very, very good full-back is leaving us as well.”
Slot suggested Alexander-Arnold will be realistic about what might be in store in the remaining three matches.
“People have an opinion about us – if it’s Trent or me, or someone else who works in this industry. That’s not new for anyone,” he said.
“Probably it’s a bit more for him now than he’s used to and maybe a bit more negative than he’s used to. But I don’t follow all of this. I’m not here to tell the fans how they should react.
“I will wait and see how he feels about him announcing that he’s going to leave the club. I did speak to him on WhatsApp. But let’s wait and see.
“The experience I have – and, by the way, this club as well – is that if a very good player is leaving, the next very good player will step up, and that’s probably what’s going to happen now again as well.”