• Word ‘rat’ daubed on mural and white paint thrown on it

• Workmen clean it up before Champions League match

A mural of Trent Alexander-Arnold has been vandalised before his return to Anfield with Real Madrid. The former Liverpool full-back is expected to feature in the Real squad for Tuesday’s Champions League game less than six months after leaving his boyhood club for Spain.

Alexander-Arnold’s decision to depart at the end of his contract was met with anger by a section of the Liverpool fanbase, who booed the right-back. The large mural near Anfield was unveiled in 2019 following Liverpool’s Champions League victory and was vandalised after the news Alexander-Arnold would leave, with the word “rat” daubed on it.

• Former England captain, 50, ‘immensely proud’

• Made ambassador for King’s Foundation in 2024

David Beckham received a knighthood at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. The former England captain, 50, was among those accepting honours for his services to sport and charity. Earlier this year, he said he was “immensely proud” of being recognised in the King’s birthday honours.

The player made his Premier League debut for Manchester United in 1995 and was part of the team that earned a dramatic Champions League final victory in 1999 when they beat Bayern Munich with two late goals.