Trent Alexander-Arnold's place in the Liverpool squad in the final two games of the Premier League season should by no means be certain, Reds expert David Lynch has argued.
The Merseysiders are set to travel to the Amex to play Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday night in their penultimate Premier League game of the season, though they head into the match as champions.
However, boss Arne Slot will face a selection dilemma given Alexander-Arnold was poorly received by the Anfield crowd against Arsenal on May 11, and starting him in the final two games of the season could distract from the club's title celebrations.
Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch argued that there is a case to be made that the right-back should not even be in the squad against Brighton, saying: "Arne Slot said after the match that he wouldn't be influenced by booing and would prefer to use him because he helps Liverpool to win games, but I fundamentally disagree with him - I don't think Trent should take to the pitch.
"People are already seeing him in that Real Madrid shirt. He isn't a Liverpool player - we're giving minutes to someone who isn't a Liverpool player. What's the point in that and why do we have to embrace him as one of our own anymore? I don't think he should be anywhere near these last couple of games, maybe even not in the squad.
"It's a sad way for it to end, but I thought that the party atmosphere that was at Anfield on Sunday was phenomenal and one of the best I've seen, and then as he comes on in the 67th minute it put a pin in the balloon immediately. Nothing should be allowed to take away from these brilliant moments."
While Alexander-Arnold may not be on the receiving end of the frustrations of disappointed fans on Monday due to the fact it is an away game, the travelling supporters would likely rather see Conor Bradley be given an opportunity in defence.
Will Alexander-Arnold spoil the title win?
Considering Alexander-Arnold was met poorly by the Anfield crowd against Arsenal, there are concerns that his inclusion in the squad could spoil the team's achievements.
The Reds' title win this season will be the first time that fans can celebrate winning the league without restrictions since the 1989–90 season.
Lynch argued that the right-back should not be involved in the team if his presence risks souring the atmosphere, when he told Sports Mole: "The fact fans have waited so long for this - if there's any risk of that [being spoiled by] involving Trent either off the bench or from the start, just don't do it.
"This isn't hindsight as I had a conversation with a reporter before the game against Arsenal and I said Quansah should be the sub at right-back if Conor Bradley can't complete the 90 because you could see [the booing] coming a million miles off, that there would be discord and that it would affect the atmosphere.
"At best you could say he was net neutral for the team because, yes he's got this quality but the way he affected the atmosphere did not help the team to win. When you throw those things together and the fact you don't want to take any of the shine off this achievement in these last couple of games - it should be big celebrations - I don't think he should be anywhere near it."
Despite the fact that Liverpool had just played their closest title rivals, headlines were dominated by the Anfield crowd, but Slot will be keen to encourage a positive atmosphere in the final two matches of the 2024-25 campaign.
© Imago
Were Liverpool fans in the wrong?
Mohamed Salah spoke out in defence of Alexander-Arnold in the days following the Arsenal game, while many pundits outside of the Liverpool sphere chose to admonish supporters.
Critics argued that Alexander-Arnold did not deserve to be booed given he has contributed to arguably the most successful period in the club's modern history.
In response to the outcry from sections of the football world, Lynch insisted that Reds fans did not earn the level of scrutiny they received, telling Sports Mole: "At the end of the day it is only boos to a footballer. There are moments where fans can go too far and do the wrong thing and deserve condemnation, but I'm not sure booing a footballer is necessarily that.
"People have completely misunderstood where the frustration comes from and at the end of the day, there's a lot of justification to why people are annoyed. It goes back to things that Trent has said in the past in terms of Liverpool is the only club for him, and winning means more for him. He wants to be a one-club man, and the fact it's Real Madrid, who have knocked Liverpool out of Europe so frequently.
"I 100% understand the appeal of Madrid and would find that hard to turn down, but equally if you have said all these things and have built your personal brand on being Mr Liverpool and wanting to be the Steven Gerrard heir then you're going to get held to a certain standard. There are going to be consequences which include the mural he's got painted around Anfield on Sybil Road - it will probably come down."
While Alexander-Arnold's contributions to Liverpool's Premier League title win are undeniable, it is unfair to expect fans to be pleased for the right-back.
Lewis Nolan
