Reds are still striving to get it RIGHT

REVISE HISTORY IF YOU WANT, BUT IMPACT OF TRENT EXIT CAN'T BE DOWNPLAYED

- By IAN DOYLE Chief LFC Writer [e-mail] @IanDoyleSport

RARELY has revisionism been used as a coping mechanism quite as much as with Liverpool supporters dealing with the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid this summer.

A transfer that became increasingly inevitable the longer the right-back declined the invitation to sign a new contract last season was eventually confirmed shortly after the Reds had sealed the Premier League title during Arne Slot’s first season in charge.

The immediate reaction from Reds fans was, to put it mildly, somewhat mixed.

The next home game against beaten title challengers Arsenal saw a significant number in the Anfield crowd aim their anger towards Alexander-Arnold, which in turn prompted ire from those who didn’t believe the defender deserved such abuse.

The atmosphere was strangely ugly for a fanbase supposed to be celebrating a record-equalling 20th title.

With the air eventually cleared, the homegrown Academy graduate was afforded a huge ovation when the championship trophy was finally lifted on the final day of the season against Crystal Palace in Alexander-Arnold’s 354th and last appearance for the club.

The pain of the defender’s exit was somewhat eased by the knowledge Liverpool were able to negotiate a deal worth £10m for Real Madrid to ensure a player who would have left for nothing a month later was able to sign in time for the much-derided FIFA Club World Cup.

But before Alexander-Armold had departed, so the rewriting of history had started. “He can’t defend,’ came the call from some fans. “He doesn’t really offer that much going forward any more?” said others on noting the drop in assists since Slot assumed the hotseat from Jurgen Klopp, the man who gave Alexander-Arnold his first-team debut and under whom the defender reached such great heights.