Trent Alexander-Arnold is described as having a “realistic” chance of being fit in time to face former club Liverpool for Real Madrid in the Champions League next month.
Trent Alexander-Arnold could be back in action for Real Madrid just in time for one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the Champions League group stage: a return to Anfield, the stadium where he forged his reputation as one of world football’s finest right-backs.
The 27-year-old’s move to Spain this summer was met with excitement, curiosity, and a fair share of scrutiny. Leaving Liverpool, the club where he grew from a young academy prospect into one of the Premier League’s standout stars, was always going to be a bold decision. And yet, within weeks of his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu, Alexander-Arnold has had to contend with what has been, so far, a challenging start to life in Madrid.
His first taste of adversity came in the opening league phase clash against Marseille last month. Alexander-Arnold, who had been integrated quickly into Xabi Alonso starting XI, was forced off the pitch after just five minutes with a hamstring injury.
What should have been a dream start in La Liga and the Champions League turned into a test of resilience, patience, and determination. Initial reports suggested a six-week recovery, putting his involvement in the early November clash against Liverpool in serious doubt.
It is a setback that has compounded an already complex introduction to life at Real Madrid. Competition for the right-back position has been intense, with club captain Dani Carvajal returning from a long-term knee injury just as Alexander-Arnold was trying to cement his place. The result: intermittent game time, a missed call-up for England’s September and October squads, and mounting pressure to prove he belongs at the Bernabeu.
While he will not immediately return for Real Madrid’s next four fixtures, reports suggest that Alexander-Arnold is “on course” to feature towards the end of that run, giving him a chance to be fully fit for the monumental Anfield clash on November 4.
For Liverpool, this adds a fascinating subplot to what is already a high-stakes encounter. Alexander-Arnold remains one of the club’s most iconic products, having made over 300 appearances for the Reds, winning multiple domestic and European honours.
His return, not as a celebrated hero but as a formidable opponent in the red of Real Madrid, will be a moment charged with emotion and expectation. Fans at Anfield, who have watched him grow from a local academy prospect into a world-class talent, will have their feelings mixed. Applause for his achievements will mingle with pointed reminders of his decision to leave Merseyside.
On the pitch, Alexander-Arnold’s return will offer Real Madrid tactical reassurance. The right-back has long been celebrated for his delivery from wide areas, his precise crossing, and his ability to influence the game in the final third. Madrid have struggled at times to find the perfect balance on the right flank, with Carvajal still finding his rhythm post-injury. Alexander-Arnold’s return could provide the width and attacking impetus that Xabi Alonso side need in a fixture where margins are always tight.
The broader Champions League context adds extra spice. Real Madrid currently sit second in their group, level on points and goal difference with Bayern Munich, having already secured victories against Marseille and Kairat Almaty. Liverpool, meanwhile, are eager to recover from a surprise defeat against Galatasaray in their second group-stage fixture. A point at Anfield would be a good result for Madrid, but a fully fit Alexander-Arnold raises the stakes considerably.
Off the field, the psychological aspect cannot be ignored. Returning to the city where he spent nearly three decades of his life, to the ground where every fan knows his name, brings with it both motivation and pressure. Alexander-Arnold has always thrived under expectation, but this fixture will test not just his physical recovery, but his mental resilience. How he handles the mixed reception from Liverpool supporters, the intense scrutiny of the Spanish press, and the eyes of millions watching across Europe will say much about the next chapter of his career.
Despite the early challenges, Alexander-Arnold remains focused on what comes next. Reports indicate he has been working tirelessly on his rehabilitation, with a clear eye on returning to the Real Madrid starting XI and reclaiming the form that made him a household name.
The match at Anfield promises to be a spectacle in every sense. It is not just a game, but a collision of past and present, a reunion filled with emotion and expectation. Whether Alexander-Arnold steps onto the pitch as a fully fit starter or as a late substitute, the sight of him back on the turf where he once mesmerised fans with his pinpoint crosses and lightning-quick feet will be unforgettable.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will remain on Alexander-Arnold’s recovery, on Real Madrid’s selection decisions, and on how Liverpool prepare for a former hero now turned opponent. Should he make it back in time, it is set to be one of the most talked-about moments of this Champions League season, blending drama, emotion, and top-level football into a perfect storm at Anfield the place he once called home.
