Liverpool fans had their worst fears confirmed in the summer when Trent Alexander-Arnold officially left the club. Speculation over his departure had been brewing over the whole of last season.
The Liverpool academy graduate played the whole season, and helped Arne Slot win the Premier League at the end of the campaign. But he sadly made his decision to leave as his contract was due to expire in the summer.
Real Madrid, who had been monitoring the situation over the last few years eventually pounced and secured the signing of the fullback. They did however, have to pay a fee in order to get him released from his contract before the Club World Cup this summer.
Real Madrid make Trent Alexander-Arnold decision
Trent was off to a great start as a Madrid player, featuring in five games at the FIFA Club World Cup tournament, before his campaign ended due to injury.
He even had an assist in the knockout stages. After that, life in Spain was not all that smooth for the England international – he had to deal with niggling injuries here and there.
The return of Dani Carvajal in the Madrid team also impacted his status in the first team; the club captain took Trent’s place in the team in September and has never looked back. Since September, the former Liverpool star has had just 13 minutes in all competitions with Xabi Alonso preferring Carvajal in the Madrid side. The team have also been in a great run of form, which has not been great for Trent.
But the 27-year old has been handed a lifeline after the El Clasico; Dani Carvajal has been ruled out for a couple of months with a knee injury.
Trent is now set to start the Spanish side’s next few games, including a return to Anfield in the Champions League next week.
How will Liverpool fans react to Trent’s return?
Considering the terms he left on, many of them will not give him the best of welcomes next week. Expect the England star to receive a hostile reception and some boos in a crucial Champions League clash against long-time rivals Real Madrid.
There have been multiple reports of Alexander-Arnold returning to Liverpool as soon as next season given his lack of chances in the Spanish capital, but a permanent Anfield reunion seems unlikely so quickly given the circumstances in which he left.
For now, Trent will have to make do with a single trip back with his new team, but it is widely expected he will be booed on his return despite winning two Premier League titles and a Champions League with his hometown club.
