Jamie Carragher, Former Liverpool player
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool should consider bringing Trent Alexander-Arnold back to Anfield, arguing that the England international made a major mistake by joining Real Madrid in 2025.
The right-back has struggled to establish himself in Spain and has fallen to third in Jose Mourinho’s pecking order, behind Federico Valverde and Denzel Dumfries, prompting the former Liverpool defender to question his decision to leave his boyhood club.
Trent’s move to Real Madrid was expected to mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his career after a long and successful spell at Liverpool.
However, his time at the Santiago Bernabeu has fallen short of expectations, with limited playing time undermining his hopes of becoming a key figure in the Spanish capital.
The numbers reflect his difficulties. Trent has made just four starts this season, while his involvement in Real Madrid’s recent 2-1 Clasico victory over Barcelona was restricted to a stoppage-time appearance.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid player
Losing prominence in the team. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
His reduced role has attracted the attention of Carragher, who believes Liverpool could benefit from reversing the transfer.
Speaking on The Overlap podcast, the former Reds defender argued that Alexander-Arnold’s departure was a mistake, particularly given Liverpool’s ongoing difficulties at right-back and their struggle to replace his creative influence.
“I would bring him back. I think he made a big mistake leaving. They are playing a midfielder at right-back, so even in El Clasico , Denzel Dumfries, the first-choice right-back, comes on as a substitute,” Carragher said, as quoted by SPORT.
“So when you are the third option at a club, they clearly want you to look for a way out,” he added.
Carragher’s argument extends beyond Trent’s individual circumstances. He believes Liverpool have yet to adequately replace the qualities the Englishman brought to their build-up play, particularly his passing range and ability to create chances.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid and England player
Behind Valverde and Dumfries in the pecking order at Real Madrid. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
“Ronnie (Ronald Araujo) has been fantastic, but we have a problem with the build-up play from our full-backs. We have certainly missed his creativity,” he explained.
Carragher nevertheless acknowledged that any potential reunion would need to make sense from a footballing perspective.
Wanting Trent back does not automatically mean a transfer would be straightforward, particularly given the circumstances of his departure and his current contract situation at Real Madrid.
Moreover, the England international himself is not thinking about a potential departure and remains determined to turn things around and reclaim his place in Mourinho’s plans.