With just eight minutes remaining on a gripping afternoon at Anfield, Liverpool were awarded a free-kick after Arsenal were reduced to ten men following a red card.
The match was delicately poised at 2-2. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool’s most skilled set-piece taker, stood over the ball, staring into the Kop, with a chance to seal a dramatic win against one of the club’s fiercest rivals.
Not long ago, Alexander-Arnold delivered in similar circumstances—his stunning strike at Leicester helping Liverpool out of a tight spot. He tore off his shirt, celebrated with the travelling supporters, and played the part of the match-winner.
That wasn’t going to be the case here. Regardless of whether his curling effort found the back of the net—it didn’t, missing the post by about a foot—Anfield had already made up its mind about Alexander-Arnold and his impending move to Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Slot calls Trent’s situation “difficult” following boos at Anfield
Arsenal come back from two down to draw 2-2 with Liverpool
Arne Slot’s men were given a guard of honour by Arsenal before kick-off
The 26-year-old’s announcement last week that he wouldn’t renew his contract with the club has severed the bond for many fans—visibly and vocally. A large portion of the home crowd made their discontent known. For Alexander-Arnold, the reception was a dramatic departure from the hero’s farewell some might have anticipated.
What if that free-kick had found the net? Could you boo and cheer simultaneously? Perhaps. But in that moment, with the Kop split, it all felt uncomfortable—sour, even.
The debate is layered. Alexander-Arnold leaves on a free transfer, meaning a local-born player—valued over £100 million and arguably a generational talent—walks away with the club receiving nothing in return. With the Premier League’s new financial regulations tightening, it’s a bitter pill for many fans to swallow.
Still, the atmosphere felt wrong. This is a player who’s contributed directly to Liverpool’s recent success: seven major trophies in eight seasons, a key figure in winning a 20th top-flight title. A player who grew up minutes from Anfield and gave so much to the club. He has earned his next chapter, even if it’s in Madrid.
This match was meant to be another step in a season of celebration. Liverpool had already been crowned Premier League champions. Arsenal, arriving at Anfield having crashed out of the Champions League midweek, formed a guard of honour before kick-off.
But instead of unity, this Sunday brought tension. The boos were real. And though they didn’t affect the result, they changed the mood, splitting the stadium. Some fans tried to quiet the anger, gesturing for others to stop the jeers. But they didn’t succeed.
Online criticism of Alexander-Arnold had been building, but many hoped Anfield would remain above the fray. That turned out not to be the case.
Trent Alexander-Arnold confirms Liverpool departure
Cody Gakpo gave Liverpool the lead, nodding in Robertson’s cross in the 20th minute
Luis Diaz doubled the lead almost immediately after
Despite the noise, there were cheers too—supporters clapping and chanting his name. But the disapproval, fierce and frequent, dominated each of his touches.
The match was deeply affected. Not tactically, but emotionally. Alexander-Arnold came on with Liverpool leading 2-1. Three minutes later, Arsenal equalised. The game’s outcome was perhaps already in motion, but the dynamic had clearly shifted.
Earlier, it had felt like a party—warm sun, a full stadium, and champions on parade. By the final whistle, it resembled something far more unsettling—a fractured celebration, overshadowed by internal conflict.
On the pitch, Liverpool were electric in the first half. Arsenal looked dazed and disengaged, clearly still feeling the effects of their European exit. Bukayo Saka’s expression during the pre-match guard of honour said it all—this was not a celebration he wished to attend.
The first 20 minutes saw Liverpool take full control. Arsenal had two early chances, one from Saka and another sequence involving Thomas Partey and Leandro Trossard after a loose pass by Curtis Jones.
But it was the home side who made the pressure count. After David Raya parried a Diaz shot in the 8th minute, Liverpool capitalised on a quick throw-in. Andy Robertson sent in a cross, and Cody Gakpo was unmarked at the near post to nod in the opener.
Anfield erupted, and it was 2-0 less than two minutes later.
Again, Arsenal’s defence was flat. A simple ball over the top caught them out. Dominik Szoboszlai’s toe-poke was redirected by Diaz, who drifted past Jakub Kiwior to tap in from close range.
Arteta’s men were rattled. Liverpool could have added a third—Diaz missed from a Salah cross and Raya had to deny Jones from distance.
But Arsenal found a lifeline right after the break. Trossard floated a ball to the back post, and Martinelli was free to head in. That goal changed everything.
Liverpool dropped off. Arsenal surged forward. The psychological pendulum had swung.
Arteta says he “hated” Arsenal’s first half display
Martinelli pulled one back early in the second half
Merino scored the equaliser, then was sent off shortly after
Liverpool’s lead was gone midway through the second half. A clever move saw Odegaard’s shot parried onto the post by Alisson, but Mikel Merino reacted first to prod home the rebound.
Then, within minutes of that high, Arsenal were down to ten. Merino’s late tackle on Szoboszlai earned him a second yellow and a walk back to the dressing room.
With the visitors now vulnerable, Liverpool pushed for a winner. Salah whipped in a cross for Robertson, who volleyed just wide. In stoppage time, Robertson again appeared to score after reacting to a rebound, but the whistle had gone for a foul by Ibrahima Konate during the corner.
Had that goal stood, perhaps Alexander-Arnold would have exited to applause instead of ambivalence. As it was, he clapped the crowd and received a mix of appreciation and rejection.
Match SummaryLiverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley (Alexander-Arnold 67′), Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch (Elliott 83′), Jones (Mac Allister 66′); Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo (Nunez 66′); Diaz (Jota 79′)Unused subs: Kelleher, Quansah, Tsimikas, EndoGoals: Gakpo 20′, Diaz 21’Booked: BradleyManager: Arne Slot
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White (Calafiori 78′), Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Merino; Saka (Zinchenko 88′), Trossard (Tierney 78′), MartinelliUnused subs: Neto, Timber, Henry-Francis, Nwaneri, Butler-Oyedeji, SterlingGoals: Martinelli 47′, Merino 70’Booked: Lewis-SkellySent off: MerinoManager: Mikel ArtetaReferee: Anthony Taylor
Alisson was forced into late saves, denying both Ben White and Martinelli. He then got fingertips to Odegaard’s strike, pushing it onto the post—only for Merino to sweep in the rebound.
Merino’s dismissal, however, ended any hopes of a full Arsenal comeback. Still, they left with a point that seemed impossible during the opening 45 minutes.
As for Alexander-Arnold, he exited to a conflicted reception, emblematic of a day that was as emotionally charged as it was dramatic.