Trent Alexandar-Arnold, depending on who you ask, is either a Judas or the best Academy graduate to play for Liverpool since Steven Gerrard, and he’s returning to Anfield this week as Liverpool hosts Real Madrid in the Champions League.
This will be Trent’s first time back in front of the Kop since his controversial move to Real Madrid, where he exited his Boyhood club after letting his contract expire.
TAA paid tribute to Diogo Jota ahead of his return to Anfield with an emotional message.
Diogo Jota passed away earlier this year in an extremely tragic car crash just 5 days after his marriage. According to Spanish reports, Jota and his brother Andre Silva were pronounced dead at the scene.
Since his passing, there has been an outpour of support for one of the most beloved footballers in the world. Former FC Porto, Wolves, and Portugal teammate as well as close friend Ruben Neves immortalized his bond with Diogo Jota with a calf tattoo.
Now, Trent Alexander-Arnold has also left a heartfelt tribute outside Anfield.
Accompanied by manager and former Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso and teammate Dean Huijsen, TAA presented a personal tribute with a note where he wrote: “My mate Diogo, you are so missed but still so loved. Yours and Andre’s memories will always live on. I smile every time I think about you and will always remember the great times we shared. Miss you mate every day. Love Trent and family.”
Trent also laid down a red PS4 controller as an homage to Jota and his enormous passion for gaming. The second message on the controller read “Forever a Champion 20) and “Miss you Jota, YNWA).
This touching gesture had a personal story between the two, as during the COVID lockdown, there was an online ePremier League Invitational among Premier League players, and the finals were between Trent and Jota, where the then Wolves forward beat his future teammate to become the champion.
Although many fans are rightfully sentimental and appreciative of Trent’s heartfelt gesture, others are deeming it a PR move. Some are even claiming that he did it so that fans don’t boo him.
Clearly, many Liverpool fans still hold a grudge over Trent leaving them for Liverpool. This was evident by the fact that some fans destroyed Trent’s mural ahead of his return, with words like Rat and Adios dubbed on the artwork.
The mural was commissioned by the Anfield Wrap podcast in 2019 and painted by French graffiti artist Akse as a tribute to TAA’s role in Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League triumph.
Trent Alexander Arnold's mural this morning…. pic.twitter.com/VnBWxqPbyP
— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) November 4, 2025
Bitter fans who are calling it a PR move seem to be forgetting Trent spent 5 years playing with Diogo Jota, who joined in 2020. The two of them won the Premier League, FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups together in an extremely successful period.
The people criticizing Trent, calling him words like “Rat”, and vandalizing his mural are in the minority. The mural has since been cleaned by the workmen who had been working since early morning.
Trent Alexander Arnold mural now been cleaned off ahead of tonight's game https://t.co/HQ9Z6ljARH pic.twitter.com/xrVEnyOmF1
— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) November 4, 2025
Since leaving Liverpool, Trent has had a tough time adjusting to his new club. Constant injuries and bad form have seen him get used sparingly and often dropped in favor of other defenders and, sometimes, even midfielder Valverde.
Despite TAA’s struggles, Real Madrid currently leads La Liga with a 5-point gap over Barcelona. Meanwhile, Liverpool is dealing with its own struggles as Slot and his side haven’t been able to recapture last season’s form.
Trent’s replacements, Frimpong and Kerkez, have both come under scrutiny as Liverpool’s defense has been constantly leaking goals and losing 4 out of 10 games in the Premier League and getting eliminated in the League Cup by Crystal Palace (3-0).
