Trent Alexander-Arnold will wear ‘Black Lives Matter’ boots for Liverpool’s clash at Everton

Trent Alexander-Arnold will wear boots with ‘Black Lives Matter‘ inscribed on them for Sunday’s Merseyside Derby, the Liverpool defender revealed this morning alongside a statement about racial inequality. 

The 21-year-old posted the message on Sunday morning, with a statement underneath a tweet saying ‘Enough is enough. It’s time for change #BlackLivesMatter.’

Alexander-Arnold also revealed he would auction the boots off after the game to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, ‘who are doing incredible work in striving for freedom and equality for all.’

Trent Alexander-Arnold will wear boots with ‘Black Lives Matter’ on them for tonight’s derby

The Liverpool man will auction the boots off after the game to the Nelson Mandela Foundation

Alexander-Arnold also released a powerful statement about racial inequality in society 

The England international began his statement saying: ‘”Do your talking on the pitch”. I’ve always loved that sentiment. But now we need to speak up in other ways as well. 

‘Tonight my boots will carry the message Black Lives Matter. It can no longer just be our feet where we express ourselves. We have to use our progile, the platforms we have and the spotlight that shines on us to say, it’s time for meaningful change. 

‘The system is broken, it’s stacked against sections of our society and we all have a responsibility to fix it. 

‘Black people are viewed differently. We face discrimination in actions but also in thought. It’s more than just violence and abuse. Opportunity in life is restricted if you look a certain way. How can that be in 2020?’

Alexander-Arnold was speaking out against racism, as have others in the past few weeks

A number of footballers, including Alexander-Arnold’s team-mates at international level Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford, have spoken out about racial inequality and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement which has grown worldwide since the death of George Floyd. 

Before every game in the Premier League and the Championship since its restart last week, players have knelt down on kick-off in support of the movement .

‘We are pre judged on skin colour rather than character and personality,’ Alexander-Arnold continued. ‘We then have to prove these misconceptions wrong! Why? Why is it my responsibility to correct an ignorant perception? 

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford took a knee before the game against Tottenham

‘Sadly – so many in the black community have to face this each and every day. But I also have hope. Hope that the world is awake in this moment. Finally willing to learn. 

‘So while we have this opportunity, where people are listening – let’s speak, let’s educate, let’s campaign and let’s promote the message that better education brings change.

‘This is the moment of change. This is the moment to say enough is enough. This is the moment to make sure it stops now. Racism is fire that is now burnt out.’