Jude Bellingham says Liverpool fans booing Trent Alexander-Arnold is not a real reflection of how they feel about their former player.
Alexander-Arnold returned to Anfield on Tuesday night for the first time following his summer transfer to Real Madrid, and feelings among Liverpool supporters were evidently still raw prior to kick-off.
While the vandalism was removed before the Champions League clash got underway, a large sections of fans vented their anger towards the defender throughout the encounter.
Alexander-Arnold had to contend with more abuse inside Anfield with some fans chanting obscenities as he warmed up in the second half.
Then when he replaced Arda Guler in the 81st minute, loud jeers rang around all sides of the stadium and the boos continued each time he touched the ball.
But Bellingham - who played the full 90 minutes as Real Madrid went down 1-0 on Merseyside - is of the opinion that Liverpool fans are still appreciative of what Alexander-Arnold has done for the club.
"Obviously, it is one of those things in football,” the midfielder told Amazon Prime. “The fans booing isn't a reflection of how they feel about him.
"I think it is more to give their team the edge and throw him off a little bit. I am sure they're appreciative of what he has done for the club. It is one of those things."
To make matters worse for Alexander-Arnold, he was on the losing side as Alexis Mac Allister’s second-half goal gave Liverpool victory.
