Real Madrid are gearing up for a massive Champions League clash against Liverpool at Anfield next week — a fixture already packed with emotion, but now made even more dramatic by the potential return of Trent Alexander-Arnold to his former home ground.
The England international is in line to make his first start for Real Madrid since recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out for just over a month.
Alexander-Arnold was included in the squad for last weekend’s El Clasico against Barcelona, though he remained on the bench as Los Blancos secured a thrilling 2–1 victory — a result that extended their lead at the top of La Liga to five points.
Now, with another crucial domestic match against Valencia coming up, Alexander-Arnold is expected to feature and get some much-needed minutes under his belt. His chances of doing so have grown significantly following an unfortunate setback for Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal, who has been ruled out until at least January.
According to an official statement from the club, Carvajal has been diagnosed with “the presence of a loose body in his right knee joint” after undergoing medical tests. As a result, the Spanish defender will require arthroscopic surgery to correct the issue. The injury means he will miss the upcoming Champions League showdown at Anfield, along with several La Liga fixtures in the coming weeks.
This development has opened the door wide for Alexander-Arnold. With Carvajal sidelined and no other senior right-back available in the squad, Xabi Alonso, is almost certain to turn to the Englishman for the high-stakes encounter against Liverpool. Although midfielder Federico Valverde has been filling in at right-back during the injury crisis, Alexander-Arnold’s return to full fitness makes him the natural choice for the position.
For Trent, the game will carry enormous personal significance. It will mark his first return to Anfield since leaving Liverpool just six months ago — a move that caused plenty of controversy among fans.
The 26-year-old rejected a contract extension from the Reds in favor of joining European giants Real Madrid on a free transfer. Despite the shock and disappointment among supporters, Liverpool were able to receive around £10 million in compensation after agreeing to release him from the final weeks of his deal early.
That decision allowed Alexander-Arnold to link up with Madrid ahead of the Club World Cup, where he helped them claim the trophy earlier this summer.
However, his reception at Anfield next week is expected to be anything but friendly. Many Liverpool fans still feel betrayed by his decision to leave, especially given his deep ties to the club and city.
As the date draws near, anticipation continues to build. For Real Madrid, it’s a chance to make a statement in Europe. For Trent Alexander-Arnold, it’s more than just a match — it’s an emotional return to the place where it all began, but where the warmth of the Kop may now be replaced with cold hostility.
