Credit: The Rest Is Football and Imago

Max Wilkins

Mon 12 May 2025 17:00, UK

Gary Lineker was far from impressed with the behaviour of Liverpool supporters in the draw against Arsenal on Sunday.

The Reds welcomed Mikel Arteta’s side to Anfield on 11 May but failed to take three points despite taking a 2-0 lead after 2-1 minutes.

Goals from Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz were ultimately cancelled out by second-half strikes from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino for the away side.

Given that the Premier League title has already been won, the result didn’t necessarily bother Lineker, but it was the antics of the home fans that wound him up.

Lineker fumes at Liverpool fan behaviour v Arsenal

With a 20th league title already in the bag on Merseyside, a bouncing atmosphere was expected against the Gunners.

That wasn’t necessarily the case when the away side came back from two down to secure a point, avoiding defeat even with 10 men.

There was a changing point on the day at Anfield as Trent Alexander-Arnold came on just three minutes before Merino netted the equaliser.

This came after the soon-to-depart England international was met with boos and jeers when entering the pitch after confirming his plans to exit in on a free in the summer.

Whether this had an impact on the performance or not, it did feel unnecessary to many who felt the 26-year-old didn’t necessarily deserve this treatment.

This was echoed by Lineker on the Rest is Football (12 May), who has slammed sections of the Reds’ fan base for their reaction to the right-back.

He said: “The big talking point was when Trent Alexander-Arnold came on as sub and there were a lot of boos. It grated on me, I didn’t like that. He’s a local lad, he’s come through the ranks, he’s given everything, and he’s won everything for that club.

“I understand they’ve got the hump that they’re losing one of their best players and they all talk about how he’s going on a free but footballers aren’t pieces of meat anyway so I never quite understood that.

“It’s his life, his career. They’re incredible fans at Liverpool, but on that occasion I just found it disappointing.”

Alexander-Arnold in mixed reception at Liverpool

After confirming an intent to leave the L4 club, fans were always going to be frustrated with the manner of his exit.

With a move to Real Madrid looking highly likely, the Reds are preparing for a change of the guard at right back.

This brings to an end years of service from Alexander-Arnold, which is exactly what has left Lineker so frustrated.

To give someone who is arguably a club legend such a negative send off would be unfair to how much he has done for the Merseyside outfit over the years.

Giving Conor Bradley a chance to shine may come with similar results but it is unlikely that he will ever match the legacy of the Englishman regardless of the boos.