Liverpool have learned their Champions League opponents for the league phase, with Trent Alexander-Arnold set for an Anfield reunion.
Trent agreed to join Real Madrid upon the expiry of his contract at Anfield, although the La Liga giants paid £8.4 million to accelerate the move in time for the Club World Cup.
The move caused a divide among the Reds’ supporters, with Jurgen Klopp urging the fans not to boo Trent when he returned to Merseyside to watch the club lift the Premier League title in May.
However, the Liverpool supporters unleashed fury on Trent when he appeared at his unveiling in Madrid and addressed the spectators in fluent Spanish, leaving those to speculate how long the move was in the works before he announced his intentions to leave his boyhood club in April.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Oviedo and Real Madrid CF at Carlos Tartiere.
Photo by Bruno Penas/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
And now, Trent will not have to wait long before he makes a highly anticipated return to Anfield as Real Madrid will travel to face Liverpool in the Champions League.
The Reds hosted Madrid in the league phase last season with Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo on hand to secure a 2-0 win.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will not play against Liverpool
When discussing the Champions League draw live on talkSPORT, co-host Jason Cundy admitted he is eager to watch the tie given the narrative around the game, but Jamie O’Hara has questioned whether Trent will be given the nod to start at Anfield.
“Well, he ain’t playing at the moment, Carvajal’s back and he’s back in the team. I don’t know if he’s going to play, Carvajal has obviously got himself back fit, so Trent might be sat on the bench and that’d be a bit of a kick in the teeth.”
Trent lost his starting spot at Real Madrid as Xabi Alonso opted to return Dani Carvajal to the line-up for the 3-0 win against Oviedo.
While the Scouser is still adjusting to life in Spain, his time thus far has not panned out as hoped – Trent had an unspectacular La Liga debut and has been punished by Alonso for his underwhelming display.
Furthermore, his early arrival to participate in the Club World Cup was a similar story as Liverpool fans mocked Trent following a dismal performance against Al-Hilal on his competitive debut.
And although Paul Merson claimed the Reds will struggle without Trent this season, Arne Slot is coming off the back of a sensational 3-2 win away at Newcastle United, whereas the 26-year-old is fighting to force himself into Alonso’s first team plans.
Anfield will be hostile for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return
The Liverpool faithful need little motivation to provide an intense atmosphere under the lights at Anfield, but the stakes will be raised when Real Madrid come to town.
Bridges were burned when Trent walked away from the Reds on a free transfer, and regardless of individual opinion, all the supporters within Anfield will ensure the Scouser does not receive a warm welcome.
Indeed, Trent won every trophy on offer during his illustrious spell at the club, but many supporters still hold the view that he manufactured his move to Madrid long before last season.
With that in mind, Trent is likely to face the most hostile atmosphere of his career on Merseyside; every misplaced pass will be met with jeers, every tackle on him celebrated, and should Liverpool win, the supporters will waste no time boasting in his face.