Draw of death? Reds’ Trent reunion as Slot faces nightmare Champions League run
Draw of death? Reds’ Trent reunion as Slot faces nightmare Champions League run
Trent Alexander-Arnold will return to Anfield to face Liverpool as a Real Madrid player in the league phase of the Champions League after the clubs were drawn together on Thursday.
Arne Slot guided the Reds to the Premier League title last term, though the campaign saw boyhood fan Alexander-Arnold play his final game for the side, with the defender subsequently completing a transfer to Real.
In what seemed liked an inevitability, the right-back will return to Merseyside as an opposition player for the first time in his career in the Champions League.
The reunion could spark a hostile atmosphere inside Anfield given the nature of Alexander-Arnold's exit caused his relationship with some sections of the fanbase to deteriorate, and the Englishman was even booed against Arsenal in May.
Liverpool have also drawn Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, Qarabag FK and Galatasaray, and their fixtures will not be easy to navigate.
Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold pictured in July 2025
Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold pictured in July 2025
Liverpool's toughest Champions League tests assessed
Liverpool managed to get the better of Real Madrid at Anfield in November 2024, with goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo enough to secure victory.
The Spanish side are now under the direction of Xabi Alonso, though the Reds did beat his Bayer Leverkusen side 4-0 at home in last season's edition of the Champions League.
Slot's team will also face Atletico Madrid, PSV and Qarabag at home, but while Atletico may be challenging opponents, they have beaten the La Liga club in each of their past two meetings.
An away trip against 2024-25 Champions League finalists Inter could be difficult, particularly as they have only won 16 of their 38 clashes against Italian opponents.
The atmosphere away to Galatasaray is sure to be intense, but Slot will still be confident that his players' quality will shine through.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot during his side's match against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, on March 5, 2025
Liverpool manager Arne Slot during his side's match against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, on March 5, 2025
Can Liverpool win the Champions League this season?
The Reds were eliminated in the round of 16 in 2024-25, losing on penalties to the tournament winners Paris Saint-Germain in March, though their exit should not be seen as a stain on their overall performance in Europe.
Slot's team were the first club to qualify for the knockout phase of the competition, winning their first seven games in the league phase, including against AC Milan, Leverkusen, Real and RB Leipzig.
Liverpool look light in the forward line considering they have just four senior options for three positions, though a move for Newcastle United's Alexander Isak could be completed before the deadline.
If the Premier League champions add to their squad before the end of the summer transfer window on September 1, they will be among the favourites to win the Champions League.