Did Hamann does not believe that Trent Alexander-Arnold, who returns to Liverpool on Tuesday, will get a regular run in the Real Madrid team as a right-back
Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to Liverpool for the first time this week following his move to Real MadridView Image
Trent Alexander-Arnold makes his return to Anfield on Tuesday night when his current club Real Madrid face the one he left in the summer, Liverpool. But there is no guarantee that he will play.
Alexander-Arnold is fit for the big Champions League clash after recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered early on in the 2-1 home win over Marseille on September 16.
But the right-back has had to settle for being an unused substitute following his return to fitness as Madrid marched on in La Liga with 2-1 and 4-0 home victories over Barcelona and Valencia respectively.
Alexander-Arnold's hopes of a starting spot in Xabi Alonso's line-up have been boosted by the fact that club captain and legend Dani Carvajal is set for a spell on the sidelines after being forced to undergo knee surgery.
But it was the versatile Federico Valverde who started at right-back in the win over Valencia on Saturday, which was inspired by two further goals from Kylian Mbappe, who now has 21 in 17 appearances for club and country this season.
And Didi Hamann believes Alexander-Arnold may have to find a different role in the Madrid team to get regular minutes under his former Liverpool team-mate Alonso.
“In Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, they've got very good players," said Hamann, who won the 2005 Champions League with the Reds alongside the Los Blancos boss, to esportsbets.com.
"They've got Federico Valverde as well. They always look for a place for him because he plays everywhere.
“Potentially Trent Alexander-Arnold could play in midfield because Xabi Alonso wasn't too happy with him at right-back. Dani Carvajal played and then he got injured in the Champions League. So he will be back, I think, in the next few weeks.
“But it'll be tough because there's competition for places. He hasn't got the standing in Madrid yet that he had in Liverpool, because at Liverpool, many roles fit.
"He pretty much was certain to play. But there might be an option to get him into the team in midfield.”
Alexander-Arnold, who has been restricted to five appearances so far this season, could well face a hostile reception if he gets onto the pitch on Tuesday given how contentious his departure was.
The 27-year-old was targeted for abuse by significant sections of the Anfield crowd in May on his first appearance since confirming he would not sign a new contract with the Reds.
It was a decision that ultimately led to his move to Real Madrid the following month in a deal worth £10m.
Alexander-Arnold, though, was given a huge reception on his farewell appearance on the final day of last season when Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy.
And ahead of the reunion, he said to Prime Video: “Whichever way I’m received is the decision of the fans. I’ll always love the club, I’ll always be a fan of the club.
"I’ll always be thankful for the opportunities and the things we achieved together, they’ll live with me forever.
"No matter what, my feelings won’t change towards Liverpool. I’ve got memories there that will last me a lifetime, and no matter how I'm received, that won’t change.
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"It's mixed emotions. It will be a very, very difficult game, but one that I'm excited for. A huge game and a huge stage to go and try to perform.
"It will be a big difference walking into the away changing room, warming up on the other side, everything will feel a lot different to me."