Trent Alexander-Arnold will return to Anfield with Real Madrid, marking the first time he has returned to his former team since leaving Liverpool this summer. In that context, the Reds and their fans probably remember the right-back more than they would like to admit.
It has been nearly 6 months since Alexander-Arnold confirmed one of the "everyone knows" secrets of English football. Unlike Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, he has not renewed his contract with Liverpool. Instead, Alexander-Arnold wants to pursue a new challenge in the Spanish capital.
The decision of a local player who has been with Liverpool for more than 20 years and is also a vice-captain to leave has made the atmosphere on Merseyside heavy. Alexander-Arnold was even compared to a number of his own fans when he came on as a substitute against Arsenal at Anfield - his first match after the farewell announcement.
Some fans also mocked Alexander-Arnold's claim that he left Liverpool to pursue the Ballon d'Or with Real Madrid. Now, many of them are still closely following his footsteps, even quietly hoping he would not be able to succeed at Santiago Bernabeu.
The 27-year-old initially made a strong impression both on and off the pitch, when he spoke in Spanish to loyal Real Madrid fans and President Florentino Perez at his debut in June. Just a month later, his signature pass from the right wing helped Gonzalo Garcia score the decisive goal against Juventus in the round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
However, things have not gone smoothly since then. Alexander-Arnold has only played a total of 156 minutes this season, not scoring or assisting. Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso initially used the English player and Dani Carvajal in the right-back position.
A hamstring injury after just five minutes in the opening Champions League match against Marseille in September made matters worse. When Thomas Tuchel left Alexander-Arnold out of the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia, many Liverpool fans may have been overwhelmed with joy.
However, many things have changed since then. Liverpool's ability to defend their title is seriously threatened after 4 consecutive defeats in the Premier League. In the Champions League, they are also only 10th before the match against Real Madrid - a team that has only lost once in all competitions since Alonso took charge.
The confrontation between Liverpool and Real Madrid is now even more notable as Alexander-Arnold has recovered from injury. He will compete for a starting position with Federico Valverde, after Dani Carvajal underwent surgery and is likely to be out for the rest of the year.
"My emotions are very mixed. How I get received depends entirely on the fans. In any case, my affection for Liverpool will never change.
I have memories there that will follow me for the rest of my life, and no matter how I am received, it will not change my love for the club" - Alexander-Arnold shared before his emotional return to Anfield.
However, the reunion night at Anfield may not be very pleasant for Liverpool fans. The return of this right-back could not only contribute to the Reds' another defeat, but his presence is also a bitter reminder of what the team has lost this season.
