Salah calls on fans to respect Alexander-Arnold
Mohamed Salah has urged Liverpool supporters not to boo Trent Alexander-Arnold in the club's remaining games of the season before the England international departs Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold, who is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer at the end of the campaign, was jeered in his first appearance since announcing he was leaving Liverpool last week.
He replaced Conor Bradley in the 67th minute of the Reds' 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield and was jeered by some sections of the home support.
Alexander-Arnold has made 352 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions, scoring 23 goals and notching an astonishing 92 assists.
The 26-year-old has registered more assists, 64, than any other defender in Premier League history, four more than team-mate Andy Robertson in second.
Leighton Baines, with 85, is the only player to have more goal contributions among defenders in the English top-flight than Alexander-Arnold, who has 82.
Salah does not believe Alexander-Arnold should be criticised for his decision to seek a new challenge away from Merseyside.
"I think somehow the fans were being harsh with him," Salah told Gary Neville in an exclusive interview on UK's Sky Sports.
"He didn't deserve it at the time, he deserved the fans to treat him the best way possible because he gave it all to the fans.
"We shouldn't act this way with anyone who always appreciates the people who came here even for six months.
"Imagine someone who gives you his all for 20 years. It shouldn't be like this.
"I hope that will change next game, against Brighton or in the last game of the season, because he deserves the farewell. I really love him.
"I think he deserves the best farewell, leaving the club. He has done a lot for the city and done a lot for the club, and he's one of probably the best players in the club's history.
"He gave it all. I think he needed a new challenge. He spoke to me about it. It's his decision for sure. He's 26 years old and won it all twice or three times.
"What more can he have done? I really wish him the best. I'll always be in contact with him."
Ahead of facing Brighton and Hove Albion next week, Liverpool boss Arne Slot was also asked about what the future will look like without Alexander-Arnold in his ranks.
The Reds have been linked with a move for Bayer Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong, with reports suggesting Liverpool is prepared to trigger his £30 million ($62.2 million) release clause.
However, Slot remained tight-lipped on the situation, suggesting that his team is well-equipped to handle Alexander-Arnold's departure.
"It's going to be boring answer," Slot said. "For whole season, it was about contract extensions, and now we're arriving at a time where everyone wants to know who we're bringing in.
"We don't talk about the players we want to bring in until the moment they've signed for us, and then you can ask me everything you want to about them.
"What I can tell you is we already have Conor Bradley, who can play really good in that position.
"Joe Gomez has also played in that position multiple times, so it is not like once Trent leaves, I have no clue what to do anymore.
"But as a club, we are always looking at interesting players who can strengthen our squad."
