Trent Alexander-Arnold opens up on Liverpool fan abuse: ‘It hurts, but I understand’
Trent Alexander-Arnold has spoken candidly on his messy exit from boyhood club Liverpool last summer, admitting that he was hurt by the fan abuse that came his way.
“The booing and disappointment from Liverpool supporters is something I’m absolutely able to shoulder,” he told the Mirror. “I can understand it, in my own way.
“I heard a lot during that period that Liverpool fans didn’t want to be told how to feel or think, and I agree. But I hope one day there’ll be a degree of understanding about the decisions I wanted to make around my own life.
“It hurts because of how much I’ve put into the club over the course of 20 years and the sacrifices I made for the club during that period. So of course it hurts, but I understand the disappointment. I even understand anger expressed through booing.”
Will Castle23 August 2026 17:30
Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli ‘in talks’ over Al Hilal move
Arsenal are in talks with Al Hilal over a deal for winger Gabriel Martinelli, the Athletic’s David Ornstein reports. The Brazilian was not included in Arsenal’s squad for their opening Premier League win against Coventry on Friday and previously turned down a move to Galatasaray.
(Getty)
Jamie Braidwood23 August 2026 16:30
Andoni Iraola’s frustration in Liverpool’s search for winger
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola admitted he is short of wingers ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Reds had a new bid of £60m for Yankuba Minteh rejected by Brighton on Friday night and remain far apart in Paris Saint-Germain’s valuations of Bradley Barcola, with the Champions League winners wanting £145m for the France international. They also reportedly enquired about the availability of Real Madrid’s Endrick.
Liverpool have brought in one winger this summer, in Victor Munoz from Osasuna, but are yet to replace Mohamed Salah, while there are no plans to replace Curtis Jones after he was sold to Inter.
“As a manager, it’s an easy one for me,” Iraola said. “I wanted the players from the first day on July 13, I wanted everyone here, all the positions doubled with top-level players. But you understand how the competition works and the market is open when you start the competition, we have to adapt as coaches to this situation.
“I hate these two weeks or 10 days that we have because there is a lot of uncertainty but not (just) in Liverpool but everywhere. You are asking what we need, there are certain situations that for me are clear, especially on the wing because we don’t have enough players specifically to play in those positions.”
Liverpool’s £60m bid for Yankuba Minteh has been turned down (PA)
Jamie Braidwood23 August 2026 15:30
Julian Alvarez included in Atletico Madrid squad
On a day where various high-profile transfer targets have been notable from their absences from matchday squads, it’s now the turn of Arsenal fans to examine Atletico Madrid’s line-up for any sign of Julian Alvarez…
And as the last name on the bench, there he is. The Argentinian has been pushing for a move away – something which is now turning sour – but an Atleti exit won’t be materialising quite so imminently, it seems.
He may be in line for a hostile reception if he comes on.
Will Castle23 August 2026 14:50
Worst 45 minutes in Premier League history?
Did we say Villa were two down at the Amex?
Make that four, and a man down. Fans are already heading to the exits. Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez won’t be discouraged from doing the same.
Will Castle23 August 2026 14:46
Aston Villa linked with defender… at perfect time?
Speculation is heightening over the possibility of another couple of high-profile exits after Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez were left out of the Aston Villa squad to face Brighton today.
However, in better news for Villa fans, the club are trying to land one of the highest-rated young defenders in Europe.
The Athletic reports that the club have made an approach for 22-year-old Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez.
This looks to be well timed – the Villans are already two down against the Seagulls, with the first being a comical own-goal…
Brighton and Hove Albion’s Maxim De Cuyper scores their side’s second goal of the game (PA)
Will Castle23 August 2026 14:11
Man City agree deal for Ayyoub Bouaddi
Manchester City have agreed a €100m deal with Lille to buy midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The 18-year-old is set to become City’s second big-money midfield signing of the summer, and the third most expensive player in their history, as they continue their busy first summer under Enzo Maresca.
Bouaddi will arrive as City step up their overhaul in midfield after the departures of captain Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders.
City will pay an initial €95m deal with a potential €5m in add-ons for the Morocco international.
Richard Jolly23 August 2026 14:04
Tottenham put midfielder Pape Matar Sarr up for sale?
Tottenham will listen to offers for midfielder Pape Matar Sarr before the deadline, according to transfer journalist Sacha Tavolieri.
Sarr, who was not involved in the opening day defeat to Brentford due to a hamstring injury, is the subject of interest from Galatasaray.
Tottenham have spent heavily on upgrading their midfield this summer with £180m spent on Sandro Tonali and Matheus Fernandes alone.
(Getty)
Jamie Braidwood23 August 2026 13:30
Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez left out of Aston Villa squad amid exit talk
Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez were absent from Aston Villa’s matchday squad named to face Brighton in their Premier League opener amid rumours of an imminent exit for both.
Villa frontman Watkins is wanted by Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, and his omission from the travelling squad to the south coast will only heighten speculation.
Goalkeeper Martinez has also been heavily linked with a departure from Villa Park, as he was last summer, but misses out on the squad due to a lack of match fitness following a recent return from his post-World Cup break.
Manager Unai Emery says he wants to keep Watkins but has already confirmed that bids have been made for the England international.”
Will Castle23 August 2026 13:13
Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez included in Man City squad
Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez are part of the Manchester City squad to face Bournemouth this afternoon, but Tottenham target Savinho is absent.
Winger Savinho is set to join Spurs in a deal that could reach £85m, while Marmoush is also wanted by Tottenham in a separate deal.
Gonzalez, meanwhile, has been linked with a move to Newcastle United as the Magpies look to add a central midfielder.
Man City XI: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol, Anderson, Lewis, O’Reilly, Foden, Semenyo, Haaland
Subs: Rulli, Marmoush, Kovacic, Cherki, Nico, Grealish, Ait-Nouri, Reis, Nunes
(PA Wire)
Jamie Braidwood23 August 2026 12:54