Liverpool may just live to regret the mistake they have made with Trent Alexander-Arnold as it could come back to bite them.
At the start of the month, the England international announced he was leaving his boyhood club on a free transfer - not long after wrapping up a 20th league title and his decision has been met with plenty of negativity.
Widely expected to sign for Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold was loudly booed when he came on against Arsenal and subjected to chants supporting Steven Gerrard and Conor Bradley.
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An unused substitute against Brighton, all eyes will be on the reception he receives at Anfield for the title lift on Sunday.
Despite being on his way out, Alexander-Arnold has been included in the club's Player of the Season shortlist.
Ahead of the final Premier League game of the season, Liverpool's official website announced the news on Thursday and confirmed that "every player who made a senior appearance is eligible for selection".
But while Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch would be the leading contenders for the award, rival fans have started to sabotage it by pouring in with votes for Alexander-Arnold and sharing proof online.
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One fan wrote on X: "Get voting everyone!
A second added: "Football Twitter, we all have the potential to do something special here…"
A third followed up: "The football community has the chance to do something funny here. Is it petty? Yes. Do I care? No."
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A fourth user simply said: "Trent Alexander Arnold you will never walk alone."
A final person commented: "Vote wisely. Make your vote count."
Trent Alexander-Arnold receives special farewell message
Ahead of the title lift on Sunday, Andy Robertson penned an emotional message to his full-back friend Alexander-Arnold, thanking him for "constantly pushing me to new limits and setting the bar so high that I had no choice but to follow".
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On Instagram, the Scotland captain wrote: "My brother, where to even start! It has been an absolute privilege watching you grow from a boy to a man over these last 8 years. You have won it all and created amazing memories along the way. I want to thank you for constantly pushing me to new limits and setting the bar so high that I had no choice but to follow.
"You are going to be a huge miss around the training ground and an even bigger miss on the pitch. I hope all the hard work you have put into this club, the moments you have given us and the massive contribution you have made are recognised as they should be…..Wingmen one last time."
Topics: Liverpool, Premier League, Real Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fan Reactions
Josh Lawless