Trent Alexander-Arnold wasn’t the first Liverpool player to get booed by his own fans — and Lucas Leiva says the pain cuts deep.
The full-back was jeered by parts of the Anfield crowd during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal, marking his first game since announcing he’ll leave the club this summer. The reaction shocked many, including ex-Reds striker Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher.
But it’s not the first time Anfield has turned on one of its own.
Lucas Leiva — a decade-long servant of the club — felt the same sting back in a goalless draw against Fulham. He was subbed on, got booed, and never forgot it.
“Fulham was the worst moment,” Lucas admitted in 2009. “The game wasn’t going well, and the fans were expecting Xabi Alonso. I understood it, but it still hurt.”
He called the experience “an important lesson” and revealed how he dealt with the backlash.
“I stopped reading newspapers. I listened to criticism, but I used it to get stronger. I wanted to make history at Liverpool — not just be another player.”
Lucas left the club for Lazio in 2017, having earned the respect of fans and teammates alike.
As for Trent, the boos came just weeks before he’s expected to seal a free transfer to Real Madrid. Like Lucas, he may need thick skin — and time — to win the doubters back.
