By TAMARA PRENN, SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 13:45 EST, 4 November 2025 | Updated: 13:54 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.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will start his long-awaited return to Anfield from the Real Madrid bench
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.
Alexander-Arnold stressed that whatever reception he does receive from his former fans, his feelings for the club will not change.
'Whatever way I'm received, is the decision of the fans,' Alexander-Arnold told Amazon Prime.
'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.'
His former manager Arne Slot was similarly unruffled by thoughts of boos levelled at Alexander-Arnold, maintaining that he sees his former player as he always did.
'I can only tell you what kind of reception he will get from me,' said Slot when asked on potential boos from fans. 'I have great memories of the player and the human being.
'He was my vice-captain last season and I have memories of working with him which were only positive and have memories from watching him on television which were only positive as well – I can remember multiple great moments of his in a Liverpool shirt.
'He will get a warm welcome from me. Let's first wait and see if he is on the pitch tomorrow. With the fans, I have no clue how that's going to be but he gets a warm welcome from me, that's for sure.'
Upon his return to Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold took part in a small poignant ceremony paying tribute to his former team-mate, the late Diogo Jota.
Liverpool icon Xabi Alonso laid a wreath at Jota's memorial on behalf of Real Madrid, while Alexander-Arnold left his own bouquet of flowers, with a handwritten note, and a red PlayStation controller in honour of his love of video games.
'My mate Diogo. You are so missed but still so loved,' the message read. 'Yours and Andre's memory will always live on.
'I smile every time I think about you and will always remember the great times we shared.
'Miss you mate, every day. Love Trent and family. Forever 20. YNWA.'