FANS were convinced Alexis Mac Allister mocked Trent Alexander-Arnold on his return to Liverpool.
TAA, 27, made his first trip back to Anfield since leaving his boyhood club for Real Madrid in the summer.
But it turned into a nightmare evening for the full-back, who was mercilessly booed by his former fans as Los Blancos slumped to a 1-0 defeat.
Mac Allister grabbed the only goal of the game just after the hour mark.
The Reds midfielder powered a 61st-minute header past Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois — handing Arne Slot’s men a deserved Champions League win.
And some thought the Argentine took a brutal swipe at his former team-mate after the goal.
Mac Allister, 26, did the ‘A’ celebration, making the letter with his fingers.
TAA regularly performed the same gesture when he scored for Liverpool – however, it is a very common celebration used for many years and certainly not unique to the Real and England man.
It was thought to have originally been used in the noughties as a nod to the A-Star organisation set up by Fitz Hall and Andrew Johnson to tackle youth violence – with Micah Richards and even Titus Bramble among those to do it.
Jack Grealish, Mason Greenwood, Ross Barkley and Ben Chilwell have all seemingly used it to pay tribute to people whose names begin with A.
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And the likes of Gareth Bale, Dele Alli and Lautaro Martinez performed the gesture for unknown reasons, too.
But even so, fans on social media were convinced Mac Allister’s sign was a cheeky message directed at Alexander-Arnold.
One said: “Alexis Mac Allister is a SAVAGE… The Liverpool star really celebrated using Trent Alexander Arnold’s celebration after scoring vs his Real Madrid… some way to welcome him back! No love from the Reds at all for TAA.”
Another wrote: “Mac Allister really pulled out Trent Alexander-Arnold’s celebration after scoring against his team.”
A third typed: “Alexis Mac Allister pulled off Trent’s celebration when he was watching on the bench for Madrid.”
And a final user commented: “Alexis Mac Allister classlessly mocking Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal celebration. Shameless.”
Alexander-Arnold was sent on for Arda Guler as a substitute in the 82nd minute.
He was greeted by a chorus of boos from the majority of the 60,000 home supporters at Anfield.
‘NO’
A mural of the defender was also vandalised ahead of the Scouser facing his former side for the first time.
Virgil van Dijk, meanwhile, gave a blunt response when asked about Alexander-Arnold’s reception and whether he had a chance to speak with his former pal.
The Dutchman simply replied: “No.”
Speaking to Amazon Prime before the clash, though, Alexander-Arnold showed his class.
He said: “Whichever way I’m received there is the decision of the fans.
“I’ll always love the club, I’ll always be a fan of the club.
“I’ll always be thankful for the opportunities and the things that we achieved together will live with me forever. My feelings won’t change towards Liverpool.
“I’ve got memories there that will last a lifetime and no matter how I’m received that won’t change.”
