Trent Alexander-Arnold could return to Liverpool next summer amid Real Madrid concerns
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a possible return to Liverpool next summer, with his limited playing time at Real Madrid raising questions about his long-term future in Spain.
According to Robin Bairner of Football Transfers, citing a report from TEAMtalk, Liverpool are among several Premier League clubs keeping an eye on Alexander-Arnold’s situation at Real Madrid.
The England international has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter since Jose Mourinho took charge at the Spanish club, potentially opening the door for a Premier League comeback.
Alexander-Arnold struggling for regular football in Madrid
Alexander-Arnold’s early 2026/27 campaign has not gone exactly as expected.
Across Real Madrid’s first eight matches in all competitions, the former Liverpool academy graduate has made five appearances, starting three of those games. He has also remained an unused substitute on three occasions and has been deployed outside his natural position once.
In total, Alexander-Arnold has played 292 minutes from a possible 720 during that period.
That represents only slightly more than one-third of Real Madrid’s available minutes so far this season.
Although the campaign is still in its early stages, the numbers suggest that Mourinho currently prefers new signing Denzel Dumfries in the right-back position. Dumfries has already accumulated 505 minutes.
Alexander-Arnold’s playing time has also declined considerably over the past few seasons. He played 3,479 minutes during the 2024/25 campaign before that figure dropped to 1,794 minutes in 2025/26.
If his current trajectory continues and Real Madrid once again play 56 matches, as they did last season, projections suggest that Alexander-Arnold could finish this campaign with around 2,044 minutes from a possible 5,040, excluding extra time.
That would represent some improvement on last season but would still indicate that he is not among Mourinho’s most important players.
Could a Liverpool return really happen?
A possible return to Anfield would come with plenty of questions.
Real Madrid would first have to decide whether they are willing to sell the defender after only a relatively short spell in Spain. Liverpool, meanwhile, would need to determine whether bringing him back represents the right investment.
There is also the question of whether Alexander-Arnold himself would want to return after the controversial circumstances surrounding his departure.
His exit from Liverpool left many supporters unhappy, particularly because he left his boyhood club after allowing his contract situation to reach its final stages.
The reaction became particularly intense when his mural near Anfield was vandalised on several occasions, including around the time he returned to Liverpool with Real Madrid for a Champions League fixture.
Despite all of that, there is no denying Alexander-Arnold’s ability.
During his Liverpool career, he developed into one of the most influential attacking full-backs of his generation. He played a major role during the club’s successful era under Jurgen Klopp and was part of teams that won two Premier League titles under different managers.
His underlying numbers in La Liga this season also highlight the quality he still possesses.
His per-90 statistics include 0.34 expected assists, 6.34 accurate long balls, 2.54 chances created, 0.42 big chances created and 3.38 successful crosses.
Those figures place him extremely highly among players in several creative and passing categories.
If he were eventually to return to Anfield and reproduce that level of performance, the move could potentially help repair some of the strained relationship between the player and sections of the Liverpool fanbase.
Why Liverpool could consider bringing him back
Liverpool’s current situation at right-back could also make a potential reunion worth considering.
Unless the club strengthens the position during the January transfer window, another right-back may be required before the end of the following summer window.
Liverpool did not sign a new right-back during the previous summer, despite Conor Bradley’s injury problems. The club also opted against adding another striker despite Hugo Ekitike’s long-term situation.
That suggests the club still sees Bradley and Ekitike as important parts of its long-term plans.
However, the right-back position remains an area that could require additional depth.
Bradley has struggled with injuries, while Jeremie Frimpong has yet to completely establish himself as the club’s first-choice option in the position.
The situation has even resulted in Ronald Araujo, who arrived on loan, being used outside his usual role.
Liverpool could therefore look for an experienced right-back who can provide immediate competition without preventing Bradley from continuing his development.
Alexander-Arnold would potentially fit that profile.
At 28 during the current season, and turning 29 next October, he would provide considerably more experience than Bradley while still potentially having several productive years ahead of him.
The age difference between the two players could also allow Liverpool to manage Bradley’s workload and development without completely closing the door on his long-term future as the club’s starting right-back.
The transfer fee could be the biggest obstacle
The biggest question may ultimately be financial.
Liverpool would have to decide how much they would be prepared to pay to bring their former vice-captain back to Merseyside.
From Real Madrid’s perspective, however, a sale could potentially make financial sense if Mourinho continues to prefer other options.
Madrid reportedly paid around €10 million (£8.5 million) to secure Alexander-Arnold’s early release from Liverpool, so selling him for a considerably higher fee would represent a profit.
The Spanish club could also reduce its wage bill by moving on a player who is not currently guaranteed a regular starting position.
Much would also depend on Alexander-Arnold’s own feelings.
If he were willing to return to Liverpool, he would be going back to a club where he spent most of his career, developed into a star and enjoyed strong support from the majority of the fanbase.
For Liverpool, a reunion could provide experience and quality at right-back. For Real Madrid, it could provide a financial return while allowing them to reshape their squad.
For Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, it could represent an opportunity to return to the environment where he previously enjoyed his greatest success.
At this stage, though, a Liverpool return remains a possibility discussed by reports and opinion rather than a confirmed transfer agreement.
