By TUM BALOGUN, SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 12:42 EDT, 28 August 2025 | Updated: 12:56 EDT, 28 August 2025
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been handed an awkward Anfield return after Real Madrid were drawn with Liverpool in the Champions League League Phase.
The defender left Merseyside on a free transfer in the summer after running down his contract, a decision that angered large sections of the support. He was even booed by his own fans when coming off the bench against Arsenal in May, with chants of 'there's only one Conor Bradley' ringing around the ground.
Now Alexander-Arnold, who came through Liverpool's academy and made more than 300 appearances before moving to Spain, will be back on matchday two when Madrid visit Anfield.
Though it remains to be seen whether Alexander-Arnold will start the match, given his recent demotion at Madrid.
After an unconvincing LaLiga debut against Osasuna, he was dropped from the starting lineup for the victory away to Real Oviedo on Sunday, with Dani Carvajal preferred at right back. The 26-year-old only appeared in the 87th minute.
The meeting comes in revamped League Phase, introduced last season to replace the old group stage. Thirty-six clubs compete, drawn into four pots, and each plays eight different opponents, four at home and four away, before the top eight qualify automatically for the knockouts.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been handed an awkward Anfield return after Real Madrid were drawn with Liverpool in the Champions League
The defender left Merseyside on a free transfer in the summer after running down his contract, a decision that angered large sections of the support