Trent Alexander-Arnold pictured ahead of Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League match against AEK Athens
Photo by Kazimierz Koper/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Liverpool could badly do with a permanent solution at right-back, with Andoni Iraola forced to chop and change during the early part of his reign.
Ronald Araujo has been a good signing to paper over the cracks, but the Uruguayan is more comfortable at centre-back and is currently scheduled to head back to Barcelona once the season is over.
Less than two years after seeing him leave for Real Madrid, Liverpool fans have been wondering whether Trent Alexander-Arnold could return to fill the hole he left. The Scouser has been out of favour at Madrid this season, leading to suggestions of a January exit. But, according to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, that just isn’t going to happen.
Alisson and Virgil van Dijk have made costly mistakes in recent weeks. What should Liverpool do with the pair now that their contracts are set to run out in the summer?
Keep Allison but get rid of Van Dijk?Keep both?Let both go
Genuinely have to keep both. They are still crucial for us and should be kept at all costs. Sadly I think we’ll lose one, most likely Alisson
Yeah, think I'm on board with that. Finding another Alisson won't be easy..might take a few years for that.. Mama deserves a shot
Yeah that’s the big question isn’t it. To be honest I’m more willing than most to give Mama a chance. I actually think he’s fine and will get better as he grows into the role. Deserves a season to show it at least. Can’t be Brughmans, not at 18/19
Alexander-Arnold will not be leaving Real Madrid
Liverpool are creating fewer chances than ever in the Premier League at the moment, something Alexander-Arnold could certainly help with.
However, the 28-year-old left under a real cloud in 2025 after pushing hard for his move to Madrid. And having burnt his bridges at Anfield and signed a six-year deal with Los Blancos until 2031, Balague says Alexander-Arnold will not be leaving any time soon.
“I can tell you 100% he’s not moving from Real Madrid in January,” the reporter told TalkSPORT.
“So forget that story, that’s gone, talk about something else because that’s not going to happen. He has got a nutritionist, he’s got a physical coach that works with him at home. He feels the best he’s ever felt in his career, physically anyway.”
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“Now of course he’s going to be prepared for when his opportunity arises. He signed a six-year contract for a reason. He wants to succeed at Real Madrid and the intention is to stay there for a long time.”
Whether Liverpool decide to look into the January market at all at right-back will likely depend on the fitness status of Conor Bradley. Even if the Reds do choose to invest in a mid-season change, though, it will clearly not be in the form of Alexander-Arnold.
Summertime might see a different opportunity arise, although it would be a mild surprise if Liverpool did decide to come back in for their former player. For now, though, he appears to be fully committed to making it work at the Bernabeu.