Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool return ended exactly as the Reds’ fans would’ve wanted as Arne Slot led his men to a 1-0 win.
Before the game, the main talking point was the return of the Liverpool academy graduate and whether he’d end up playing against his former club.
In the end, Xabi Alonso brought the Englishman on to try and create something for Los Blancos, but since he was used at right-back, he didn’t have too much of an effect on the game.
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However, since the bridges between the right-back and Liverpool’s fan base have been destroyed due to the way he exited Anfield, there was a lot of additional pressure put on the tie.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid CF gestures during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
And before the game had even kicked off, Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler said that the hatred fans have for their former right-back would’ve helped spur their team on.
Robbie Fowler thinks that Liverpool used the amped-up Anfield atmosphere to their advantage against Real Madrid
Going into the clash, everyone involved knew that it was going to be an intense affair.
Even if Alexander-Arnold hadn’t made the move to the Bernabeu, each time Liverpool and Real face one another, fireworks are bound to surface.
But, with the added intensity of the right-back’s return, Anfield was bouncing, which is exactly what Fowler predicted would happen.
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“I’m looking forward to seeing Trent Alexander-Arnold, but I obviously don’t want him to get a result,” he said in quotes relayed by BBC Sport.
“I do appreciate that he was a world-class player, and is still a world-class player and he has been a big miss for Liverpool.
“We can all have opinions on what we should do or whether we should support him. I think the majority will understand, appreciate and respect what he has done for Liverpool, but I think they will let their feelings known and they’ll give him a hard time.
“I think Liverpool could use that to their advantage, though. To make the atmosphere that little bit more intense, and allow Liverpool to get into Real Madrid, [start] on the front foot.”
Liverpool must carry their performance levels to their Premier League clash against Manchester City
Being a Liverpool fan over the last few months or so has been far from ideal.
Slot’s men lost most of their games across all competitions aside from one impressive performance against Eintracht Frankfurt when Liverpool won 5-1.
Their next game is set to come against Manchester City on Sunday, and before they beat Aston Villa and Real, most fans thought they’d end up getting pummelled.
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot arrives ahead of kick-off in the UEFA Champions League, league phase football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at Anfield.
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
However, if they can play as well as they did against Los Blancos, there’s no reason why they can’t add another three points to their Premier League tally.
Things finally seem to be on the up for Liverpool with their challenge for the Premier League and Champions League titles underway once again.