Trent Alexander-Arnold hasn't had the season he would've hoped for after leaving Liverpool for Real Madrid last summer
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 14: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid looks onduring the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 14, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Alexander-Arnold has struggled to make an impact at Real Madrid(Image: Denis Doyle, Getty Images)
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Trent Alexander-Arnold's exit from Liverpool last summer ranks among the most divisive departures in Premier League history. The 26-year-old left Anfield for Real Madrid having claimed two Premier League titles, a Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
Yet a significant portion of the Anfield faithful booed the right-back shortly after he had made his intentions to leave the club for nothing public, following months of intense speculation. The player's prolonged silence amid persistent rumours prior to his bombshell announcement was perhaps not easily forgiven.
Madrid ultimately handed Liverpool £10million to secure Alexander-Arnold at the beginning of last summer. Yet his much-anticipated move to the Spanish capital has proved disappointing thus far.
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From Alexander-Arnold's words upon departing Liverpool, the supporters' reaction as he returned to Anfield with Madrid, and his difficulties at his new club, we take a closer look at how the past few months have played out for the ex-Anfield star.
Alexander-Arnold's admission
Upon leaving Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold admitted he understood the frustrations of those supporters who struggled to comprehend his decision to walk away from his boyhood club. His statement carried a sense of remorse, recognising that his departure - supposedly the "most difficult decision of his life" - would provoke waves of anger and disappointment among the fanbase.
"I completely understand the feelings that go with that [leaving Liverpool] and I've felt it myself so I completely understand that the news will disappoint a lot of people, will anger people, it will make them upset," he said after making his decision to join Madrid.
"Obviously that went into the decision as well – it's something you don't want to do, you don't want to ever have these moments where you feel like you're letting a lot of people down, you're disappointing a lot of people. But I've had to make a decision for me, it's as simple as that.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool, celebrates with Premier League trophy after his final appearance for Liverpool as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025
Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool as a Premier League champion(Image: Getty Images For The Premier League)
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"I know the news will take a bit of time to set in and people won't be happy and they'll be disappointed. At the end of the day, you can be angry and hurt at me but I just hope that the lads, the rest of the team, the staff, everyone else is able to feel how good a season this has been."
Anfield return
Alexander-Arnold perhaps never anticipated that he would find himself back at his hometown club quite so swiftly. Liverpool welcomed Madrid in the Champions League in November, just months after his departure, and the reception he received was entirely predictable.
The full-back started the evening on the bench for Los Blancos. Shortly after Liverpool had gone 1-0 ahead, the home crowd was in full voice, and they made themselves heard even louder when Alexander-Arnold was introduced from the bench with 10 minutes left on the clock.
The former Anfield favourite was predominantly met with jeers as he stepped onto the pitch. Supporters then deliberately chanted about club icon Steven Gerrard and Alexander-Arnold's successor at right-back, Conor Bradley, in a pointed jab at their ex-hero.
Trent Alexander-Arnold following his return to Anfield with Real Madrid
It was a savage homecoming for the local lad(Image: Getty Images)
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Real Madrid struggles
Whilst Alexander-Arnold's transfer dominated the headlines, his displays on the field have been far less noteworthy. The right-back had to cope with a swift managerial upheaval after settling into his new environment, with Xabi Alonso replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa merely six months into his tenure.
On the pitch, Alexander-Arnold has shared the right-back position with Dani Carvajal. In September, just weeks into his Madrid stint, the England international suffered a significant setback when he was ruled out for approximately six weeks through injury.
Spanish press have also been scathing of his displays, with Marca branding him "clueless and insubstantial." In December, he was withdrawn from the pitch with injury once more, during what represented his finest showing for the club against Athletic Club, a fixture in which he registered his maiden La Liga assist.
Speculation was widespread that Alexander-Arnold had even been instructed to find a new club this summer, with Manchester City and Bayern Munich believed to be keen. However, those suggestions have since been dismissed.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid C.F. looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid C.F. at Estadio da Luz on February 17, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal
He's struggled for consistency in his first season at Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
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Following his first start in more than two months last weekend, where he provided an assist in the 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad, Arbeloa insisted Alexander-Arnold's future was, indeed, promising.
"Working with [Alexander-Arnold], he strikes me as a very intelligent guy, who understands the game very well, and quickly grasps what we want from him," Arbeloa told reporters after Saturday's match.
"He's not the typical full-back who's always going to be out wide, he can also play centrally. We want players to be able to interchange positions. We're lucky to have a player like that."
It remains a campaign he'll probably want to forget, but staying fit and continuing to earn Arbeloa's approval will add some shine to it. Whether it'll be sufficient to secure a place in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad is another question, however.
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