ANDY ROBERTSON has put up an impassioned defence of “best friend” Trent Alexander-Arnold after the Liverpool star was jeered at Anfield.
A section of the Reds’ support booed the departing full-back during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Alexander-Arnold looks set to join Real Madrid when his deal with the Reds expires this summer.
The 26-year-old was met with jeers when coming on as a substitute against the Gunners.
And his teammate Robertson – who has played alongside the England full-back since 2017 – admitted the reaction “wasn’t nice”.
Robertson told Sky Sports: “It’s not nice to see a friend get booed and it wasn’t nice, but we can’t tell people how to act.
“I can tell you how I feel about it – I’m extremely proud of what he’s done for this club.
“I love him as a friend, I love him as a player and he’ll be missed as one of my best friends in the game.”
Alexander-Arnold has been on Liverpool’s books since the age of 6.
He has played over 350 times for the Reds, winning two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League.
But a section of Liverpool’s support are frustrated at the way he’s handled his departure from the club.
Robertson continued: “There’s a lot of emotion around it.
“It’s crucial in these moments that I don’t tell you how to feel and you don’t tell me how to feel about it.
“All I can tell you is how I feel about it. First of all, I’m disappointed to lose my best mate, and we’ve done it all together.
“He’s an amazing player and an amazing person.
“He’s made me a better player, that’s from the bottom of my heart.
“He’s took me to levels I never knew existed. He kept pushing me through the good years and he’s made a choice.
“His legacy at this club is there for everyone to see, the trophies he’s won and the moments he’s had in history will always be there.
“It is an emotional decision and Trent… it’s not been an easy one. But he’s made the decision.”
Liverpool boss Arne Slot also defended the full-back following Arsenal’s fightback on Sunday.
Slot said: “In general and in life, the good thing about living in Europe is that everybody can have their opinion and that’s the same here in Liverpool.
“There were people that were not so happy with him.
“There were a lot of people who were happy with him, they clapped for him.
“A few of them booed. I think everybody is allowed to have their opinion.”
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