Ask Onix
Liverpool's Conor Bradley steals the show as Anfield turns on Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool delivered a statement performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Conor Bradley emerging as the hero in a 1-0 victory-while Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a hostile return to Anfield, the stadium where he was once worshipped.
The 22-year-old Northern Irish right-back, long tipped as Alexander-Arnold's successor, dominated Vinícius Jr. with a display of physicality and composure, silencing the Brazilian winger and earning rapturous applause from the Kop. Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold, now a Real Madrid player, was met with jeers from warm-up to final whistle, a stark contrast to his former status as a local icon.
Anfield's wrath: From mural vandalism to relentless boos
Hostility toward Alexander-Arnold began before kickoff, with his mural near Anfield defaced with the words "Adios El Rata" ("Goodbye, Rat"). The abuse intensified when he entered as an 81st-minute substitute, replacing Dani Carvajal with Real Madrid trailing to Alexis Mac Allister's 63rd-minute header. Every touch from the England international was drowned out by boos, including a late misplaced cross that drew mocking cheers.
Fans also seraded Bradley's every challenge, chanting his name as a deliberate snub to Alexander-Arnold, who left Liverpool for Madrid in a summer transfer widely seen as a betrayal. Even Jude Bellingham, another English star in the Real lineup, struggled to make an impact, limited to a single first-half shot saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Bradley's breakout: A performance to silence Vinícius Jr.
Bradley's man-of-the-match display neutralized Vinícius Jr., reducing the usually explosive winger to frustrated theatrics. Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised the youngster's composure in one-on-one duels, calling his performance
"outstanding... To handle Vinícius so many times isn't for everyone."
Arne Slot, Liverpool manager
The victory-Liverpool's best display of the season-lifted them to sixth in the Champions League standings, on track to secure a last-16 spot without a playoff. Dominik Szoboszlai and Mac Allister controlled midfield, while Thibaut Courtois' heroics in goal, including a reflex save from Virgil van Dijk's header, were the only reason Madrid avoided a heavier defeat.
Alexander-Arnold's fall from grace: 'It's got to sting'
The 26-year-old, who grew up in Liverpool's academy and became a Premier League and Champions League winner with the club, cut a isolated figure. His cameo ended with Anfield's fans singing the praises of Steven Gerrard-a player who rejected moves away-while Alexander-Arnold's every error was amplified.
Bellingham offered a measured take post-match:
Yet the reception suggested otherwise, with Alexander-Arnold's departure framed as a rejection of Liverpool's identity."The booing isn't personal. Fans do it to fire up their own team. I'm sure they still appreciate what he did here."
Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid midfielder
Liverpool's resurgence ahead of Manchester City clash
The win, following a 3-1 league victory over Aston Villa, marked a sharp upturn for Slot's side after six defeats in seven games. With Szoboszlai and Mac Allister dictating play and Florian Wirtz adding creativity, Liverpool resembled their title-winning selves. Slot attributed the turnaround to blocking out "noise" and focusing on "open-play chance creation," which he insisted had been strong all season.
Next up: a Sunday showdown with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, where Liverpool will aim to build on this momentum. For Alexander-Arnold, the night was a brutal reminder of what he left behind-while Bradley's star rose in his shadow.
