The mural of Trent Alexander-Arnold near Anfield has been defaced with the word “rat” in English and Spanish on the morning of his return to Liverpool with Real Madrid.
White paint was also splattered over the image of the full-back, who left his boyhood club for Real this summer to the fury of many of his former fans.
The word “rat” was daubed in the same colour along the bottom of the mural, as well as “Rat not welcome” and “Adios el rata.” Workers were seen cleaning the mural before lunchtime.
The act of vandalism will compound fears that Alexander-Arnold will receive a hostile reception when Liverpool face Real in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The 27-year-old was booed by Reds fans in his first match after announcing in May that he was leaving the club.
Located on the corner of Sybil Road adjacent to Anfield Road, the Alexander-Arnold mural was created to commemorate his iconic role in Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League triumph.
Intended to inspire local youngsters, the mural features a quote from the full-back, which reads: “I’m just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has just come true.”
Commissioned by the podcast The Anfield Rap and painted by graffiti artist Akse, it also includes the name of food-poverty charity Fans Supporting Foodbanks.
