Real Madrid Boss Insults Defender “Was Ready” for Boos as Reds Snatch Champions League Victory
In a charged and emotional night at Anfield, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso insisted that Trent Alexander-Arnold was prepared for the frosty reception that greeted his first return to his former home, following a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Liverpool.
Alexander-Arnold, who left Liverpool for Madrid in a high-profile summer move, was met with jeers from the home crowd during the warm-up and when he entered the pitch as a late substitute. His every touch was booed by the raucous crowd, capping a day where a mural of him near the stadium was also defaced.
When asked why he brought the defender into such a fiery atmosphere, Alonso defended his decision and his player’s mentality. “It was an intense game, and we know the atmosphere in Anfield on a Champions League night,” Alonso said. “We needed his quality. (His reception) could be expected. He is professional and mature. He was ready for that, no problem.”
The match’s only goal came from Alexis Mac Allister, who powered in a header from a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick in the 61st minute. Alonso pointed to this moment as the game’s turning point, acknowledging his team’s struggle to handle Liverpool’s set-piece threat.
“We conceded a lot of fouls and Thibaut Courtois wasn’t able to save that header,” Alonso stated, while praising his goalkeeper who otherwise “was fantastic.” He added, “We have to understand we can’t commit so many fouls as the game could get away from us like it did today.”
Pushed on whether his Real Madrid side lacked energy against a vibrant Liverpool, Alonso disagreed. “I don’t have those feelings. We competed well… What we were lacking today was perhaps to hurt them in the final third and be a real threat.”
Despite the loss, the former Liverpool midfielder refused to criticize his team, concluding, “We leave with a bitter taste in the mouth but we have to analyse what we did today. We have to learn from these defeats.”
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