Liverpool’s own Trent Alexander-Arnold has found himself in the headlines again — but not for what he’s done on the pitch.
Ahead of his emotional Anfield return with Real Madrid, the mural honoring the right-back near the stadium has been vandalized, stirring anger and disappointment among fans.
The artwork, located at the corner of Sybil Street and Anfield Road, was originally painted to celebrate Trent’s rise from academy boy to Champions League winner.
It featured the words, “I’m just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has just come true.”
But in the early hours before Real Madrid’s visit, the mural was reportedly defaced with white paint and the words “RAT” and “ADIOS EL RATA” — a Spanish phrase translating to “Goodbye Rat.”
The act comes just months after Alexander-Arnold’s controversial exit from Liverpool. Having chosen not to renew his contract, he moved to Real Madrid this summer — a decision that clearly didn’t sit well with a section of the fanbase.
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Emotions running high before the Anfield reunion for Trent Alexander-Arnold
For many supporters, Tuesday night’s Champions League clash was already set to be emotional.
Alexander-Arnold, a boyhood Red who made 354 appearances for the club, returns to the ground he once called home — but this time in enemy colors.
It’s not the first time the mural has been damaged, but this latest act appears to be the most severe. Local cleaners have already begun working to restore the artwork ahead of the big match.
Social media, as expected, lit up with mixed reactions. One fan joked, “At least someone gave Trent his Madrid kit early,” while another criticized the act, writing, “Not for Trent but for the artist — he worked hard on that mural. Don’t do this.”
Despite the backlash, some fans hope emotions will cool once the match is over.
Football, after all, can test loyalties — but it also has a funny way of healing them. As one local said near the site, “You can paint over the wall, but you can’t erase what he did for the club.”
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