Trent Alexander-Arnold lined up for England in their shock 1-0 loss to Hungary on Saturday, with the Liverpool right-back not singing the national anthem.
It was a tough defeat for the Three Lions, played in strange circumstances as 36,000 fans attended a behind-closed-doors game due to a FIFA loophole overriding UEFA’s ban for racism.
But one of the biggest talking points from the loss in Budapest came as the England team sang the national anthem – this being the Queen’s platinum jubilee weekend.
While the likes of Declan Rice and Mason Mount belted out God Save the Queen, Alexander-Arnold stood silent, enraging loyal England supporters in the process.
Scouser @TrentAA pic.twitter.com/14CXITguEV
— Sam (@_OLiverpoolfans) June 4, 2022
It should have come as no surprise, with the Scouser explaining his and the city’s stance on the national anthem in a recent interview with the Guardian.
“It’s the city, as a whole, not just Liverpool fans,” he pointed out.
“They remember what the city’s been through and how Liverpool feels regarding the establishment and how we’ve been treated over the years.
“It’s that feeling of being let down by people in charge and that we haven’t been treated justly.”
But this simple act, and the furious reaction, has delighted many Liverpool fans.
https://twitter.com/No_Context_LFC/status/1533116977958502402
Trent: a hero for our times https://t.co/tBBI7Rr7Gj
— Tony Evans (@TonyEvans92a) June 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/TheLouisDangoor/status/1533115803775688706
Trent not singing the national anthem pic.twitter.com/ZnXdUryJOh
— Jamie (@LFC_JAMlE) June 4, 2022
Jubilee weekend and Trent still didn’t sing the national anthem ? build his statue now
— ???? ? (@AnfieldMagic) June 4, 2022
Trent not singing the National anthem over this Jubilee weekend bullshit is fucking beautiful and cements his place among the greats! Bravo son, ?BRAVO!!!
UPTHEFUCKINGREDS ????— ChandlerJ (@fetchthewine) June 4, 2022
Trent didn’t sing the National anthem? My goat hahahah
— Who Is Gr?gg??? (@greggislocallfc) June 4, 2022
Trent not singing the national anthem has ruffeled a few feathers and I couldn’t be happier about it
— • (@___cm85) June 4, 2022
Trent Alexander-Arnold refused to sing the National Anthem, played the majority of the game without conceding, then got substituted for Reece James who instantly conceded a penalty and lost England the game. You couldn't write it any better ???
— ?? (@_JakeeLFC_) June 4, 2022
People crying over Trent not singing the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/7BVJ1I5yiN
— Mason™? (@LfcJimi) June 4, 2022
Beyond events prior to kickoff, which also saw a crowd full of young Hungarians boo as England took the knee, it was a mixed evening for Alexander-Arnold.
At times, particularly in the defensive third, he looked sluggish – and understandably so given Liverpool’s 63rd and final game of the season was only a week previous – but he also produced a number of outstanding deliveries from the right.
He was replaced on the hour, with Reece James coming on and conceding the decisive penalty within two minutes.
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