Thibaut Courtois has spoken out after Trent Alexander-Arnold was loudly booed by Liverpool supporters during their 1–0 Champions League loss to Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
Liverpool fans appeared frustrated seeing the Belgian goalkeeper again, as he delivered yet another top-class performance to keep Madrid in the game.
TV cameras caught Trent looking shocked after Madrid scored. Things only got worse when he was brought on and greeted by loud boos from the same stadium he once called home. His £10m departure from Liverpool over the summer was one of the biggest transfer dramas in recent memory, and his return has clearly reopened old emotions.
Courtois Responds to Liverpool Fans Booing Trent
Trent’s exit has split the fanbase. Some understand his decision to chase a new challenge after winning everything at Anfield, but many feel betrayed — believing he abandoned the club when he was on track to become a true Liverpool icon, following in the footsteps of legends like Steven Gerrard.
Courtois commented on the reception, saying he respects the fans’ feelings but hopes they eventually move past the anger. Speaking to beIN Sports, he said:
> “I went through something similar when I left Chelsea, but it’s different — he’s a Liverpool boy. It’s a shame. Fans are entitled to feel how they feel, but he spent his whole career there. We only get one career, and everyone has dreams.
I hope they can forgive him one day and remember what he achieved for them.”
However, his remarks did not sit well with many Liverpool fans. One person on X wrote:
“Courtois lecturing us on morals? That’s rich.”
Another added:
“Traitors defend other traitors.”
Others referenced former midfielder Philippe Coutinho, saying at least Liverpool benefited financially from his sale, which helped fund the signings of Van Dijk and Alisson. One supporter summed it up:
> “It’s not about trophies — it’s about respect. It’s about how he treated the club and the fans who supported him.”
Since moving to Madrid, Trent has enjoyed life in Spain and often praises the club in interviews. But from the outside, his career seems to have stalled. He featured in the Club World Cup but was later dropped in favour of Dani Carvajal and even Federico Valverde. With just five appearances so far this season, he has slipped to third-choice right-back and is currently not in contention for England’s World Cup squad, with Thomas Tuchel preferring Reece James.
Trent has said he wants to win the Ballon d’Or more than anything else — but time will tell whether the move to Madrid helps or harms that dream. For now, he looks far from the player who once produced 23 goals and 86 assists in 354 Liverpool games, winning the Champions League, two Premier League titles and numerous other trophies.
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