Trent Alexander-Arnold shows true colours with immediate reaction to Liverpool boos

Trent Alexander-Arnold showed his true colours with his reaction to the moment that his name and presence at Anfield was booed by Liverpool fans. The England full-back, who left in unceremonious circumstances last summer for Real Madrid following a long-running saga that saw his contract run down, made his first return to Merseyside since his transfer.

He was named on the bench for the Champions League tie, despite club captain Dani Carvajal being injured, as Alexander-Arnold himself is returning from his own spell on the treatment table. But as he warmed up on the Anfield pitch before kick-off, he was loudly jeered by those in attendance.

When the stadium announcer read his name out on the team sheets, even more boos were heard inside Anfield, with an angry crowd making their feelings known on the former star defender.

The 27-year-old perhaps was expecting such a reaction, considering he was similarly jeered at the end of last season, when his future was announced.

And his public response appeared to say as much, as he could not help but produce a large grin while surrounded by his team-mates in the middle of the pitch, while he was being booed.

The moment was picked up on Amazon Prime's coverage of the pitch, as host Gabby Logan said: "Some fans have just got a glimpse of him there as he says hello to members of staff. He's ready for this."

Pundit and Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney added: "He's held himself back so he's going to come out on his own, he's not helping himself. He'll be emotional of course he will, I'm sure his family are here tonight.

"It'll be emotional for him to come back to a club where he's spent so many years at and had so many great memories, but that's part of the game."

Before the match, Alexander-Arnold admitted that he respected whatever reaction the crowd had to his arrival.

He said: "Whichever way I'm received there is the decision of the fans you know. 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 that we achieved together will live with me forever. My feelings won't change towards Liverpool.

"I've got memories there that will last a lifetime and no matter how I'm received that won't change."