The Daily Red: Booing Trent, Fan Rights and Rival Fan Hypocrisy | OneFootball

Trent, Rival Fans and Hypocrisy: Dave Hendrick Speaks Out

In the latest episode of The Daily Red Podcast, Dave Hendrick delivers a typically unfiltered take on the storm surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s reception at Anfield during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal. It wasn’t the result that dominated post-match discourse, but the sharp turn in mood when Trent replaced Connor Bradley, greeted with boos from parts of the crowd. Hendrick dissects the reaction, the motivations behind it, and the flagrant hypocrisy of rival fans and journalists.

Fans Have Their Say: “This Was Their Opportunity”

Trent’s introduction at Anfield drew immediate and sustained boos. Hendrick was unequivocal in his analysis: “Every time he touched the ball… it was met with boos.” He explained the motivation behind such a strong reaction: “This was the opportunity people have to let Trent know how they feel… because it’s not like they’re going to bump into him down the shops.”

For Hendrick, the issue wasn’t the move to Real Madrid itself, but the manner: “I don’t begrudge the fella the move. I begrudge him the move in this manner.” He slammed the drawn-out nature of the departure, noting that “his brother’s been walking around telling people he’s Trent McManaman for a year and a half.” Hendrick claimed the whole process was disrespectful: “The fact that we know he was talking to Real Madrid behind Liverpool’s back for that long… people are rightly annoyed with him.”

Hypocrisy in Full Voice: Rival Fans Take the Moral High Ground

Hendrick saves some of his most withering commentary for rival supporters, particularly Arsenal and Manchester United fans. In his words, Arsenal are “the club who booed Granit Xhaka when he was their captain… who booed Emmanuel Eboué so much he ended up in tears… who booed and pushed out of the club the greatest manager they ever had.”

Turning to Manchester United, Hendrick highlights: “They booed Harry Maguire when he was their club captain… only this season they booed Josh Zirkzee, who’s a young kid still trying to find his way.” His conclusion is damning: “Who are they to suggest that we can’t boo Trent?”

This narrative of hypocrisy threads throughout the podcast, punctuated by his critique of figures like Rio Ferdinand: “This guy has no clue about loyalty but wants to lecture others.” Hendrick’s dismantling of the pundit class continues with Adrian Durham of talkSPORT, mocking his lack of credibility: “Other than that, I don’t think anybody would know who he is.”

Anfield Loyalty: Earned, Not Given

Hendrick draws a line in the sand: “Anfield will support you, but that support is not unconditional. And when you turn your back on Anfield, Anfield will turn its back on you.”

He defends the right of fans to respond emotionally: “You’ve paid your money to get into that stadium… you have the right to sit there and boo. You absolutely do.” And yet he also recognises the rights of those who didn’t join in: “If you went and you didn’t boo, great. That’s your choice. You’re fully in your rights to make it.”

He critiques the reaction from journalists, including Ian Doyle, Paul Gorst, and Dominic King, asking whether they had been “asked to do it by Trent’s team,” given the club itself did not admonish fans. Hendrick is clear: “These journalists… they’ve decided that they can tell fans how to feel. It’s a strange thing.”

What Comes Next?

Looking ahead, Hendrick questions whether Trent should feature again this season. “He shouldn’t play the Palace game,” he insists. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s injured for the Palace game.”

But Hendrick ends with an optimistic spin on Trent’s departure: “There’s potential here for us to have some addition by subtraction.” While acknowledging Trent’s passing quality, he believes Liverpool could “sign someone… not as good as Trent as a footballer but maybe as a right back they’re as good or better.”

In the eyes of Hendrick, the fans have spoken – and rightly so. Whether cheering or jeering, they’ve exercised their right to voice their feelings. What’s indefensible, however, is the wave of sanctimony from outside the club. As Hendrick puts it, “Quite the opposite. They [the fans] showed yesterday that Anfield will support you – but only if you respect it.”