Mohamed Salah says Liverpool fans were wrong to boo Trent Alexander-Arnold and insists the right-back deserves “the best farewell” for all he has done for his boyhood club.

Alexander-Arnold was booed by some Liverpool fans at Anfield during last Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal following confirmation that he is leaving to join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer.

Salah was saddened by his team-mate’s reception against Arsenal and understands Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave the club having been at Liverpool since the age of six.

“I think somehow the fans were being harsh with him,” Salah told Sky Sports’ Gary Neville in an exclusive interview ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Brighton on Monday Night Football.

“I think he didn’t deserve it at the time, he deserved the fans to treat him the best way possible because he gave it all to the fans.”

The 26-year-old has made 353 senior appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, scoring 23 goals, and will depart having won two Premier League titles and a Champions League.

Asked if the boos saddened him, Salah said: “Absolutely. I was surprised because this is not how we act as Liverpool fans.

“We shouldn’t act this way with anyone who always appreciates the people, who came here even for six months.

“Imagine someone who gives you his all for 20 years. It’s shouldn’t be like this. I hope that will change next game, against Brighton or in the last game of the season, because he deserves the farewell.”

Salah, who signed a new contract at Liverpool along with Virgil van Dijk in April, also expressed his sadness at Alexander-Arnold’s departure but insisted he was entitled to seek a new challenge after so many years of service to Liverpool.

“I told him yesterday don’t give me eye contact in your farewell,” added Salah.

“I really love him. I think he deserves the best farewell leaving the club. He has done a lot for the city and done a lot for the club and he’s one of probably the best players in the club’s history. He gave it all.

“I think he needed a new challenge. He spoke to me about it. It’s his decision for sure. He’s 25, 26 years old and won it all twice or three times. What more can he have done?

“He just needs to go, change and challenge himself. People don’t know about it much but he spent 20 years in the club.

“It’s so tough mentally for someone to be 20 years in a club. Yeah I do love the place but going every day to the same place for 20 years, mentally you could get depressed.

“I really wish him the best. I’ll always be in contact with him.

“It’s his decision. I did not try to convince him to stay because I know it’s 20 years in a club is not easy. It’s so tough.

“People think it’s easy to take a decision and stay. It’s not.

“I want him in my team always. Somebody like him, you want him in your team. But also I understand, being in the same place for 20 years is not easy.”

Sky Sports to show 215 live PL games from next season

From next season, Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.

And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games next season are on Sky Sports.