Trent Alexander-Arnold divided opinion among the Liverpool supporters when he decided to leave for Real Madrid this summer.
The 26-year-old cut ties with his boyhood club at the end of the season after announcing his decision to move to Spain upon the expiry of his contract.
Liverpool wasted no time in completing a £30 million move to sign Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen at the beginning of the transfer window, to replace Trent and provide much-needed competition for Conor Bradley.
Frimpong hit the ground running immediately for the Reds – the Dutchman left Ally McCoist in awe after he scored a wonder goal during the Community Shield loss against Crystal Palace on his competitive debut.
Mohamed Salah, Jeremie Frimpong and Curtis Jones celebrate a goal duing Crystal Palace v Liverpool - 2025 FA Community Shield
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Although the comparisons to Trent have already begun among supporters, Wayne Rooney claimed Frimpong will be Liverpool’s most important signing this season, and perhaps he will have more of an impact at Anfield than Trent will have in Madrid after what happened during his display against Osasuna.
Trent Alexander-Arnold struggles for Real Madrid on La Liga debut
When speaking to the media after Real Madrid’s 1-0 win against Osasuna on Tuesday, ex-Reds legend and Madrid boss Xabi Alonso commented on Trent’s debut display.
“The four debutants were not weighed down by the Bernabeu. They had solid performances, perhaps not spectacular, but their nerves did not weigh them down.”
Trent suffered the wrath of Liverpool supporters after the Scouser spoke in fluent Spanish at his unveiling in Madrid, and the pressure is on his shoulders to replicate his Premier League form.
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso and Trent Alexander-Arnold
Photo by Sandra Montanez/Getty Images
Although Madrid opened the 2025/26 season with a win, courtesy of a Kylian Mbappe penalty, it was certainly an afternoon to forget for Trent on his La Liga debut.
Paul Merson believes Liverpool will struggle without Trent this season, and while the jury is still out on whether Frimpong and Bradley will prove satisfying replacements for their predecessor, his display in La Liga will strike confidence into the Anfield faithful.
Trent, of course, will be remembered by some for his efforts in bringing the Champions League and Premier League titles back to Anfield, but given the circumstances surrounding his exit, he has burned a lot of bridges on Merseyside.
Liverpool supporters “all laugh” at Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool supporters were in fine form on X following Trent’s league debut for Real Madrid, as they piled on the misery for their former number 66.
“Trent, the ex-Scouse hero, and so called Galactico now. Flopped vs Osasuna! 0 key passes, 20 possession losses, 2 (times) dribbled past? £8.4m! Good riddance, stay lost in Madrid! Soon he will be fully exposed for who he is. Let him face Barcelona and Lamine Yamal.
“Isn’t it class not having to pretend Trent is the best right back in the world? He will be back at Aston Villa in about 18 months.
“Trent is going to get cooked against Raphinha and Lamal. I can’t wait.”
“(For) every Trent stinker, I will be there front row.”
“Let’s all laugh at Trent.”
Seemingly, nothing brings Reds supporters closer together than poking fun at Trent, and it appears this will become a running theme across the course of the season.
The draw for the 2025/26 Champions League league phase will take place on 28 August – it feels almost guaranteed that Real Madrid and Trent will be drawn to face a trip to Anfield.