Trent Alexander-Arnold was reduced to tears for the second straight day as Liverpool celebrated their 20th Premier League title with an open-top bus parade on Monday.
The departing defender broke down during his side’s trophy celebrations on Sunday after suiting up in red for one last time, drawing the curtains on his 20-year tenure at Anfield.
Liverpool were crowned champions at the end of April in Arne Slot’s first season in charge, but had to wait until the final game of the season to physically get their hands on the trophy.
Virgil van Dijk lifted the silverware at Anfield in front of a packed crowd, and the Reds players and staff took to the streets of Liverpool on Monday as thousands lined the paths and roads to greet them.
Alexander-Arnold was seen wiping away tears, and was comforted by Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Despite the right back receiving a warm farewell in his final game, there has been widespread anger surrounding the nature of his exit as a free agent, which culminated in him being booed by the Liverpool fans against Arsenal earlier this month.
Mohamed Salah consoled Trent Alexander-Arnold during Liverpool’s trophy parade on Monday
Alexander-Arnold could not hold his tears back as he cut an emotional look during celebrations
However, fans on social media were quick to call the defender an ‘actor’ and accuse him of ‘crocodile tears’
And his tears on Monday were met with backlash by fans on social media, with one accusing him of letting out ‘crocodile tears’.
One fan on X wrote: ‘Not those crocodile tears again.’
‘Attention seeker if you ask me,’ scoffed another.
A third added: ‘Don’t think he gives a f***, just taking it all in for the last time the little rat.’
A fourth commented: ‘He’s a really good actor.’
Liverpool’s players – who were out partying until midnight – were greeted by thousands of supporters on Monday, with Crewe station lined with chanting supporters trying to get on a train to attend.
After Liverpool’s 20th league title was added to their champions wall, fans started to arrive for the celebrations, already donning flares, balloons, and climbing traffic lights.
Alexander-Arnold also failed to hold back his tears on Sunday after playing his final game
Fans travelled from all over the country to celebrate the Liverpool’s 20th top-flight success
Players waved to supporters as music played and fans cheered those atop the open-top bus
Red smoke engulfed the pathway with several of Liverpool’s first team seen on the top tier
Some supporters stood outside the Shankly Gates as the awaited the start of the parade, some two hours out from its beginning.
It was a rainy day in the city, but that didn’t stop the fans turning out in their numbers.
Confetti fell from the sky as the team continued to make its way through the city, marshalled by a group of police as fans chased them along the path.
Liverpool’s bus for the parade was lined with the word ‘champions’, with an image of the Premier League trophy and the word’s ‘ours again’ also included.
Flares are understood not to have been allowed on an number of trains around the city, but that didn’t stop fans letting them off as the parade passed.
Cody Gakpo once again donned his shades with a sideways cap, and Ibrahima Konate led one dance as the bus continued to make its way down the route.
Reds owner John W Henry wrapped up as he took his spot on the bus, potentially questioning the British weather.
Confetti fell from the air as the bus was marshalled the bus through the 10-mile route
Supporters queued to take photos alongside Virgil van Dijk’s mural just hours after he lifted the Premier League trophy
As more and more fans arrived, Alexander-Arnold was seen stood up with his arms out at the back of the bus, with Dominik Szoboszlai, wet hair drooping down his face, holding an inflatable trophy.
Gakpo then took it upon himself to show off Liverpool’s custom WWE belt, standing high as he held it above his head.
Players took it in turns to lift up the trophy – some held up by others atop the bus. The rain continued to fall, fans continued to wave their flags. Some were situated behind barriers and had signs as a means of passing on their congratulations to the players.
The parade followed a 10-mile route. It started at Allerton Maze, heading north along Queens Drive in a similar route to the one used in 2019 – when the Reds won their last league title.