Red Return: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Emotional Anfield Homecoming

By Sam French

When the Champions League fixtures were confirmed, one game instantly drew a red circle on the calendar - Real Madrid’s visit to Anfield. Not just because it’s a meeting of two European giants or a rematch of the 2022 final, but because of one name: Trent Alexander-Arnold.

For Liverpool supporters, the sight of the local lad walking back out at Anfield, this time wearing white, will stir a strange mix of emotions- maybe even a touch of resentment. This is the stadium where a teenager from West Derby became one of world football’s most recognisable right-backs, where he grew from academy hopeful to Champions League winner and vice-captain.

But football rarely leaves space for sentiment. In his final months at the club, Alexander-Arnold’s relationship with parts of the Anfield crowd turned complicated. When he came off the bench against Arsenal shortly after news of his departure broke, a smattering of boos rang around the ground, likely an uncomfortable farewell for a player who had given so much.

Alexander-Arnold was met with sporadic boos from the Anfield faithful as he came off the bench against Arsenal following his departure announcement

Now, a few months on, and he’s back to where it all began.

The 27-year-old has endured a frustrating start to life in Madrid, managing just 156 minutes of football due to injury. Xabi Alonso, who’s himself a figure tied deeply to both clubs, had alternated between Trent and Dani Carvajal at right-back before both found themselves in the treatment room. With Carvajal ruled out for the trip to Merseyside, there’s every chance Alexander-Arnold could feature at Anfield this week as he returns to fitness.

Fond Memories

Those memories include the miraculous comeback against Barcelona, the flick of instinct that led to “Corner taken quickly,” and the trophies that followed. For a generation of fans, Trent wasn’t just a player - he was arguably the embodiment of what Liverpool’s academy promised and was ‘one of our own’.

Virgil van Dijk admits he hasn’t spoken to his former teammate since the move. “It’s nothing personal,” he explained. “He’s a quality player and was important for us over the years. We’ve been very successful together, but now he’s an opponent. If he plays, we’ll have to make it very difficult for him to do what he’s good at.”

Liverpool’s defensive vulnerability at times this season has reignited debates about how much they miss their old right-back’s range of passing and creativity. “You’re talking about one of the best passers in the Premier League,” said Paul Merson recently. “Slot hasn’t realised how much they’ll miss him.”

On Tuesday night, the Kop will look down and see one of their own in the white of Real Madrid. There might be cheers, there might be jeers but either way it’s a story that will get people talking and, if he does make it onto the pitch, all eyes will be on his performance.