Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold will be denied an early return to Anfield this season due to rules that UEFA has implemented in the Champions League.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid poses during the official UEFA Champions League 2026/27 portrait session
Trent Alexander-Arnold will be denied a return to Anfield in the Champions League league phase(Image: (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been denied another potential return to Anfield in the Champions League for the league phase, due to UEFA rules.
The 27-year-old has struggled at Real Madrid ever since his switch to the club last summer, which came as quite the unpopular move among the faithful Reds supporters.
A mixture of injury misfortune and struggles with form has seen the right-back fail to settle in and make the position his own, following a chaotic season for Los Blancos on and off the pitch.
That brought about plenty of change this summer, with Jose Mourinho appointed as manager for his second stint with the club, while there have been plenty of key signings during the transfer window.
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One of those has been particularly concerning for Alexander-Arnold. The arrival of Denzel Dumfries has added direct competition for his place in the team, with the Netherlands international picked over the England star in the first match of the season.
It has led to yet more concerns over the long-term position of the defender, who hasn't quite managed to kick on since leaving Liverpool last year.
The Reds fans may be keen to let the academy graduate know that, should the teams face off in the Champions League this year, with a potential match is on the cards, with the draw for this season on the way.
While many will be hoping to welcome Alexander-Arnold back to Anfield, following last year's return, that is now not possible in the league phase because of the rules set out by UEFA.
Because Liverpool has hosted Real Madrid at home in the past two seasons of the league phase, there cannot be a third meeting between the clubs at this stage of the competition, denying the defender a return, at least for now.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid looks on during the friendly match between Real Madrid and CD Leganes
Trent Alexander-Arnold has discussed his return to Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images))
The Reds can still be reunited with Alexander-Arnold, with a possible tie away at the Bernabeu on the cards, but it remains to be seen how the draw pans out.
There is also the possibility of a meeting at Anfield later in the competition, if the two teams manage to cross paths in the knockout rounds.
However, for now, there will be no immediate return for the defender, who admitted last week that the booing and abuse he received from Liverpool fans had hurt him.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said: "Going back to Liverpool after everything that’s happened, it was on my mind. If I'm honest, if something affects me and upsets me, it shows in my family as well. They are in it with me… we’re together."
"Even from the outset, even the thought of going into the away changing room was strange," he added. "I’d never actually stepped foot in there before."
There will be no return for him at the moment, but that doesn't mean the club and former player won't cross paths again at some point this season.