By TAMARA PRENN, SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 13:45 EST, 4 November 2025 | Updated: 13:48 EST, 4 November 2025
Trent Alexander-Arnold will start his first match at Anfield in Real Madrid colours from the bench after Xabi Alonso opted not to include the former Liverpool star.
The defender is expecting a less-than warm reception when he returns to his boyhood club for the first time since his £10million summer move to the Spanish capital.
But the 26-year-old will be forced to hear any boos that rain down on him from the stands from the bench, after Alonso opted to play Fede Valverde in the position, as he did in last weekend's Clasico.
Alexander-Arnold might have hoped for promotion to the first team after battling back from the injury which has marred his opening few months at Real Madrid following an injury to captain Dani Carvajal.
The Spanish veteran will be sidelined until January after picking up a knock against Barcelona, and being diagnosed with a loose joint in his knee.
A sign of the potential hostile atmosphere that lies ahead at Anfield came well before kick-off, when a mural dedicated to Alexander-Arnold's triumphs at Liverpool was defaced.
White paint was thrown over the depiction of Alexander-Arnold in his former No 66 Liverpool shirt.
The words 'Adios El Rata' - 'Goodbye Rat' - have also been written on the mural, along with three further statements declaring their former star to be a 'rat'.
The mural, which is painted onto a house on Sybil Road near the Liverpool ground, received deep cleaning ahead of kick-off, with only the faintest hints of the slogans visible as night fell on Merseyside.
It marked the third time Alexander-Arnold's mural has been vandalised, with 'Rat' having been painted on prior to his final appearance for Liverpool back in May.