Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk on Trent Alexander-Arnold boos during Arsenal match in Premier League: 'He has to deal with it'
Updated 12/05/2025 at 16:41 GMT+1
Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold took to the pitch against Arsenal on Sunday for the first time since announcing he would leave his boyhood club at the end of the season. His introduction as a second-half substitute was met by some boos from the crowd, and that is a reaction he "has to deal with", according to Virgil van Dijk. Alexander-Arnold has made over 350 appearances for the club.
‘Everybody can have their own opinion’ – Slot on Alexander-Arnold boos
Video credit: SNTV
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has said Trent Alexander-Arnold "has to deal with" some hostility following his decision to leave Anfield, but it "shouldn't" distract from their title celebrations.
Alexander-Arnold came on as a 67th-minute substitute during Liverpool's 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday, and was booed by sections of the Anfield crowd upon his introduction, after he announced he would leave the club at the end of the season.
Ahead of the match, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said he would not "tell fans how to react" to the news, and Van Dijk told reporters on Sunday that Alexander-Arnold may have "expected" a negative reception.
"I think the manager said it right in the press conference that you can’t decide how anyone feels about the decision he made for him and his family," Van Dijk said.
"The reaction happened. He has to deal with it. We as a team have to deal with that as well, by the way. But I think maybe he expected this. We have two more games and then we part ways, and he will go somewhere else.
"I wasn’t really expecting anything. It’s not easy, not at all. We’re here for him. We are gutted that he’s not here with us next year because he’s a fantastic player, in my opinion, with outstanding, exceptional qualities that we have all been seeing over the last seven years I’ve been here. We’re definitely going to miss him when he’s gone.
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‘Everybody can have their own opinion’ – Slot on Alexander-Arnold boos
Video credit: SNTV
"It shouldn’t [distract from the title celebrations]. There are a lot more players that also deserve an amazing day. I don’t think it will.
"He made the decision for himself and he’s at peace with it. We have two more games that he will have to play a part in as well. I’m sure he will because he’s a fantastic player and then we’ll say goodbye to him."
The uncertain futures of Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah had been a regular talking point throughout Liverpool's title-winning campaign with their contracts expiring at the end of the season.
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Van Dijk and Salah signed two-year contracts in April to prolong their stays at the club, but academy product Alexander-Arnold said he wants to embark on a "new challenge," amid widespread reports he is set to join Real Madrid as a free agent.
"Everyone has different opinions or different phases of their career, so you can’t compare our situations," Van Dijk said.
"I was very happy to eventually come to an agreement with the club. Obviously, it’s not really a Liverpool thing to go about it the way we did with me and Mo but, like I said when it was announced, I’m happy and proud to extend because for me, there is no other place to be at this point.
"Everyone shares different opinions and he feels like he has done it all and he wants to try something different. You are speaking about one of the biggest clubs of all in Real Madrid, who he might go to as I read in the media.
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Rewind back to 2021 when Alexander-Arnold ‘nearly ripped net off’ with absolute rocket
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"The decision is made. We are all gutted, players as well, as he is a fantastic player and made so many decisive moments over the years.
"We will miss him but we still have two more games, the trophy lift and a parade so there are plenty of moments we can share together and then we will see what happens."
Van Dijk urged the club into a "big summer" of recruitment, but said he trusts "the people who make the decisions to do the right thing" when bringing in players.
"As champions, it is a very difficult task to remain champions, but I feel with additions we can make that step up," he added.
"It’s something to look forward to, it’s very exciting and it’s an exciting time to be associated with Liverpool."
Liverpool's trophy parade will take place on May 26, a day after their final match of the season against Crystal Palace at Anfield. Before that, Slot's side take on Brighton on May 19.
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