Arne Slot's Liverpool are set to face Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage in November, but the Spanish giants could be without both of their senior right-backs
MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 16: Trent Alexander Arnold of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid v Olympique Marseille at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 16, 2025 in Madrid Spain (Photo by Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold may be set for a period on the side-lines(Image: Soccrates Images, Getty Images)
Real Madrid could be without club captain Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold when they face Liverpool in the Champions League in November. Arne Slot begins his side's campaign with a clash against Atletico Madrid, but plenty of attention was paid to the clash against Los Blancos at the start of November.
When the match was drawn, all eyes turned to former Red Alexander-Arnold, who chose a move to the Bernabeu over a new contract at Anfield. However, this reunion is now uncertain.
The full back sustained an injury in the opening five minutes of Los Blancos' Champions League opener against Marseille on Tuesday night, which forced him to limp off. The England international sent a message to his new fanbase after the match.
He took to Instagram, writing: "Will be back as soon as possible. Stronger than before. See you soon Madridistas."
Matters were made worse for Real Madrid when Carvajal was shown a straight red card. He was adjudged to have head-butted opposition goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli with 21 minutes remaining at the Santiago Bernabeu.
UEFA regulations stipulate a player or team official who is sent off by the referee is automatically suspended for one match in their club competitions.
However, if a serious offence has been committed, like the Spaniard's headbutt, a UEFA disciplinary body has the power to 'augment this punishment', potentially extending the offender's ban beyond just one match.
Dani Carvajal of Real Madrid reacts
Trent Alexander-Arnold's injury combined with Dani Carvajal's red card spells trouble for Real Madrid
At present, he will miss their clash against Kairat Almaty, but a longer ban could put his hopes of playing at Anfield in jeopardy. If he is handed a three-match ban for example, he'll also miss clashes against Juventus and at Liverpool.
Alonso could well be without a senior right back for that crucial run of matches. This would be a nightmare scenario for the manager, who will either have to play an academy right back or maybe even move the likes of Federico Valverde into the position.
Either solution is not ideal, particularly with the likes of Hugo Ekitike or Cody Gakpo facing the player on the right side of Real's defence.
The ex-Bayer Leverkusen manager made it clear in his post-match interview he will be having words with experienced full back Carvajal about his behaviour on the pitch.
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot smiles during a press conference at the team's training ground in Kirkby, north of Liverpool in northwest England, on September 16, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League football match against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP) (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Slot orchestrated a 2-0 home victory over Real Madrid last November
Alonso said: "We were pushing until things got complicated with Carva's sending-off. The expulsion was avoidable, it's a shame. We'll have to talk about it."
Liverpool's immediate focus will be paid to Atletico Madrid. Last season, the Reds became the first team to top the table of the newly reformed league phase of the competition, but it counted for little as they were knocked out on penalties by Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.
Diego Simeone's Atletico will have a psychological edge going into tonight's clash on Merseyside, having inflicted pain on the Reds at Anfield before, although a lot has changed in both clubs since the unforgettable clash in 2020.
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