Virgil van Dijk says Trent Alexander-Arnold has to “deal with it” amid being booed by Liverpool supporters at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold was a second half substitute in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal. Though big talking point has been the mixed reaction he received upon replacing Conor Bradley midway through the second half.
Whilst there were some cheers for the right-back, he was booed by some sections of the Anfield faithful and it continued each time he touched the ball.
The reaction was in response to it being the England international’s first game since announcing he will be departing Liverpool when his contract expires in the summer.
Teammate Andy Robertson has since stated it was “not nice” to hear Alexander-Arnold booed, while Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said the home fans went a “step too far".
Now, van Dijk has delivered his verdict. He told reporters: "The [crowd] reaction happened. He has to deal with it. We as a team have to deal with that as well.
"I wasn't really expecting something, to be honest, but I think maybe he expected this. It's not easy, not at all. We're here for him anyway.
"We are gutted that he's not here with us next year because he's a fantastic player with outstanding, exceptional qualities that we have seen over the last seven years."
Van Dijk has also stated that Liverpool's Premier League title celebrations - which includes the trophy lift on May 25 followed by an open-top bus parade in the city the next day - will not be overshadowed by the departure of Alexander-Arnold.
"We want to win two more games and after the final whistle, including him [Alexander-Arnold], lift the trophy up and celebrate like we have never done before," he added.
"I don't think so. It shouldn't [if Alexander-Arnold's exit could overshadow the celebrations]. "There's a lot more players that also deserve an amazing day."
