Trent Alexander-Arnold enjoyed a Liverpool farewell party over the weekend with no expenses spared – leaving Reds fans furious once again.
The Liverpool vice-captain laid on a lavish personal summer festival with a band, flamethrowers, bars, and barbecue food at the club’s AXA Training Centre.
And the fun didn’t stop there, with beach games, a kids’ zone, fairies on stilts, crazy golf, and even cakes dedicated to him under the party’s ‘Summer of 66 (his shirt number)’ theme.
The England defender has split opinion as he prepares to head to Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer, drawing criticism from his current side’s supporters after revealing he would be leaving the club.
He sat down to announce the news in a social media video after Liverpool had been confirmed Premier League champions, describing the decision as ‘easily the hardest I’ve ever made in my life’.
While some fans wished him well, a large section of supporters saw things differently, with one filmed setting fire to a shirt with Alexander-Arnold’s name and number on and more booing him at Anfield in his first game since the news.
Trent Alexander-Arnold had a ‘Summer of 66’ leaving party as he prepares to depart Liverpool
Liverpool laid on a colourful summer festival for the star and even had fairies on stilts
A number of Reds players and their families were present, including captain Virgil van Dijk
Mohamed Salah has been among the 26-year-old’s team-mates who have defended his decision, asking the fans not to boo after the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai expressed his frustrations after the draw with Arsenal, when the events took place.
Now, however, fans have been left incensed again after photos emerged of Alexander-Arnold having his leaving party with several Liverpool players and staff, including Arne Slot, as well as family and friends of club workers.
Nevada Linton, a club insider, was present at the party and shared a number of snaps to her Threads page with Liverpool players as she enjoyed the occasion.
In a photo with Alexander-Arnold, a sign that read: ‘Welcome to Summer of 66’ could be seen with a deck chair in the background.
The players wore casual clothes, with Alexander-Arnold donning a white shirt with grey trousers and a jumper tied around his waist.
The caption read: ‘R Trent’s leaving party! What a day and experience. Thank you. Go on to live your dreams!!’
Linton posed with a number of other players, including Alexander-Arnold’s full back partner Andy Robertson. Robertson, who has played 276 times alongside the Englishman, was seen in a grey shirt, white shorts and trainers and black sunglasses hanging from his shirt.
Darwin Nunez – who is also expected to leave Liverpool this summer – was all smiles as he donned a white shirt and cap, while club captain Virgil van Dijk, who told Alexander-Arnold there is ‘no other place to be,’ opted to wear his sunglasses for the photo.
Trent Alexander-Arnold announces he is quitting Liverpool
The club designed miniature cakes dedicated to the outgoing long-serving right-back
Mohamed Salah – who has called for fans not to boo the star – was also spotted at the party
Watch out! A flamethrower was spotted setting alight the air at Alexander-Arnold’s party
Title-winning manager Arne Slot was snapped after returning from a holiday in Ibiza
Alexander-Arnold was happy to take selfies with the people who were invited to his bash
Alexander-Arnold’s full back partner Andy Robertson opted to hand sunglasses from his shirt
The defender posed alongside his brother Tyler (right) – who is also his agent and helped facilitate the move to Madrid
Darwin Nunez could also leave Liverpool this summer but was all smiles at the leaving party
Some fans didn’t see the positive side of things, with one branding the event – which seemingly took place at the training ground – ‘genuinely disgusting’
Diogo Jota was also present, with his photo revealing there were a number of ‘zones’ available to the players and their families on the day. One arrow read ‘soccer skills’, while another read ‘kids zone’ and another ended in ‘games’, though the first word was blocked by Linton in the photo.
Salah opted for sliders, stood under a red umbrella, while Slot, fresh from his holiday from Ibiza, wore a buttoned up shirt and black trousers.
Tyler – the defender’s brother and agent – was present, as well as Luis Diaz, who posed on a crazy golf course.
There appeared to be a barbecue with a wider group of staff in the day, before a separate party in the evening. It appeared to take place at Liverpool’s training ground, with fans questioning why. There was also an ice cream van present.
As photos of the day surfaced, fans began to question the event. One posted on X ‘It’s genuinely disgusting’, while another added: ‘Boo him again.’
A third wrote: ‘Is it bad that I’m kinda disappointed in the rest of the squad for even going? I know they’ve played with him for so long but he’s snaked them as well.’
Speaking to Gary Neville of Sky Sports about the booing saga, Salah said: ‘I was surprised because it is not how we react as Liverpool fans. We shouldn’t react this way with anyone. We always appreciate the people who came here, even if it was for six months.
‘Imagine someone who gave his all for 20 years. It shouldn’t be like this and I hope it will change in the next games because he deserves a farewell.’
Liverpool have two games left this season – against Brighton and Crystal Palace – before Alexander-Arnold departs.