IT'S A BERNA-NOW

ANYONE would think he'd committed an act of high treason on Merseyside.

- JEREMY CROSS CHIEF SPORTS WRITER

As it turns out, Trent Alexander-Arnold appears just to have chosen to join another club. A young man in the prime of his life, wanting to better himself.

Even this has still to be confirmed, despite the jungle drums starting to beat loud.

But while the player himself hasn't gone public with his mind being made up, others have. The abuse has been toxic.

Alexander-Arnold has been labelled a 'traitor' on social media. A 'scumbag' who should be kicked out of Liverpool now, and never be allowed to pull on the famous shirt again.

It's noticeable Alexander-Arnold hasn't posted a message on one particular site since before Christmas.

His last was a photo of Luis Diaz polishing the defender's right boot, which had helped Liverpool thrash Tottenham 6-3 to guarantee them top spot in the Premier League on Christmas Day.