Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool for Real Madrid last summer, but that move to La Liga hasn't gone to plan for the England international.
Trent Alexander-Arnold during a warm-up.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has struggled since leaving Liverpool for Real Madrid.(Image: )
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Liverpool cannot entertain the idea of bringing Trent Alexander-Arnold back to Anfield following a difficult spell at Real Madrid, according to former Reds midfielder Danny Murphy. The England international was allegedly informed by Real manager Alvaro Arbeloa that he does not feature in his plans for the future and is free to seek a move away this summer.
The right-back arrived in the Spanish capital just half a season ago, but things have not worked out as he'd hoped. Alexander-Arnold made the controversial decision to leave his boyhood club for a new adventure with Real ahead of the 2025/2026 season.
He signed for £10million ahead of the Club World Cup last summer, but injury problems have restricted him to just 11 appearances across all competitions during the campaign.
Arbeloa has recently been deploying Fede Valverde at right-back, while he also has the experienced Dani Carvajal available, once again, after recovering from injury.
Spanish media reports indicate Arbeloa has held talks with Alexander-Arnold to clarify that he does not form part of his long-term vision - although that claim has subsequently been disputed.
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That has sparked speculation around a potential return to the Premier League, but ex-Liverpool midfielder Murphy insists a comeback to Anfield is out of the question.
"No. I think that would be a difficult one to sell to the fans," Murphy told BestBettingSites when asked if Alexander-Arnold would be welcomed back at Liverpool.
"Also, not many players go back to a former club and succeed. The succession plan has to be about moving forward and evolving the team. So no, I don't think that would work."
Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for Real Madrid.
Liverpool have been told a transfer move for Trent Alexander-Arnold would be difficult given the manner he left Anfield.(Image: )
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Despite the controversial nature of his exit last year, Alexander-Arnold was handed a heartfelt send-off from the Liverpool supporters following his 354th match in May.
"He deserved it. I am very happy for him and everyone in and around the club that things worked out the way they did," head coach Arne Slot said at the time.
"It went brilliantly when our fans are together. How brilliant they were before the Tottenham game, during the Tottenham game and afterwards I don't think you see as many special celebrations as you saw four weeks ago.
"I don't think you see many celebrations like we had them today. It's no surprise to me that they (the fans) were brilliant again today as they were throughout the whole season, as they were towards Trent."
Alexander-Arnold is presently out with a thigh injury, following a hamstring issue, casting doubt not only over his future at Real, but also his prospects of securing a spot in England's World Cup squad this summer. Tuchel omitted him from the squad in November's break, while he now faces a significant challenge to be included - even if fully fit.
"It's my job now to make contact with everyone, players such as Trent," Tuchel said at the time after selecting Alexander-Arnold's former Liverpool teammate, Jarell Quansah, instead. "Players that are on our longlist, 55, 60 players, to reach out to them, and be in touch with them, explain to them why they were not here.
"Explain to them what they have to do, where they can improve. Can they even do something or is it just a choice? So this is my job in the next weeks and months."