Trent Alexander-Arnold could make Liverpool return amid Real Madrid concerns
Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly emerged as a potential Liverpool target for next summer, with his lack of regular playing time at Real Madrid casting doubt over his long-term future in Spain.
According to Robin Bairner of Football Transfers, via TEAMtalk, Liverpool are among the Premier League clubs monitoring the England international’s situation at the Bernabeu.
Alexander-Arnold has found it difficult to secure a consistent starting role since Jose Mourinho took charge of Real Madrid, potentially creating an opportunity for a return to the Premier League.
Alexander-Arnold struggling to nail down a starting spot
The beginning of the 2026/27 season has not gone according to plan for Alexander-Arnold.
He has featured in five of Real Madrid’s opening eight matches across all competitions, starting three. He has also remained on the bench without playing in three games and has been used away from his preferred position once.
Overall, the former Liverpool academy graduate has played just 292 minutes out of a possible 720.
That means he has been involved for only a little over a third of Real Madrid’s available playing time so far.
While there is still plenty of the season remaining, the statistics suggest Mourinho currently has greater faith in new arrival Denzel Dumfries at right-back. The Dutchman has already played 505 minutes.
Alexander-Arnold’s minutes have also fallen significantly over recent seasons. He registered 3,479 minutes in 2024/25 before seeing that number almost halve to 1,794 minutes in 2025/26.
If his current involvement continues and Real Madrid play 56 matches again, he could potentially finish this campaign with around 2,044 minutes from a possible 5,040, not including extra time.
That would be an improvement on last season, but it would still indicate that Alexander-Arnold is not currently one of Mourinho’s key players.
Could Alexander-Arnold really return to Anfield?
A return to Liverpool would inevitably come with plenty of complications.
Real Madrid would first need to be open to selling a player they signed relatively recently, while Liverpool would have to decide whether bringing back their former academy star makes financial and sporting sense.
Alexander-Arnold would also have to decide whether returning is something he genuinely wants after the difficult circumstances surrounding his departure.
His exit generated considerable frustration among Liverpool supporters, particularly after he allowed his contract to run down before leaving his boyhood club.
The reaction became even more hostile when a mural dedicated to him near Anfield was vandalised several times, including around the period when he returned to face Liverpool with Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Nevertheless, there is little doubt about his footballing ability.
Alexander-Arnold became one of the most creative and influential attacking full-backs of his generation during his Liverpool career. He was a key part of the club’s successful period under Jurgen Klopp and won two Premier League titles under different managers.
His underlying La Liga numbers this season also demonstrate that his quality remains.
Per 90 minutes, he has recorded 0.34 expected assists, 6.34 accurate long balls, 2.54 chances created, 0.42 big chances created and 3.38 successful crosses.
Those numbers place him among the league’s standout players in several creative and passing categories.
A return to Anfield that saw him reproduce that level of performance could potentially go some way towards repairing his relationship with sections of the Liverpool fanbase.
Why Liverpool could consider a reunion
Liverpool’s current situation at right-back could make an Alexander-Arnold return particularly interesting.
Unless the club strengthens the position during the January window, another option could be required by next summer.
The Reds did not add another right-back during the previous summer transfer window despite Conor Bradley’s injury issues. They also chose not to bring in another striker despite concerns surrounding Hugo Ekitike’s long-term situation.
That decision suggests Liverpool continue to view both Bradley and Ekitike as important parts of their plans.
However, right-back remains an area where additional depth could prove useful.
Bradley has struggled to maintain his fitness, while Jeremie Frimpong has yet to fully establish himself as the undisputed first-choice option.
The situation has even seen Ronald Araujo, who joined on loan, used outside his natural position.
Liverpool could therefore look for an experienced defender capable of immediately competing for a starting place while still allowing Bradley to develop.
Alexander-Arnold could fit that description.
At 28 this season and set to turn 29 next October, he would offer significantly more experience than Bradley while potentially still having several productive years ahead of him.
His age could also allow Liverpool to carefully manage Bradley’s minutes and development without abandoning their long-term plans for the youngster.
Transfer fee could determine everything
The financial side of any potential deal could prove decisive.
Liverpool would have to determine how much they are prepared to spend to bring their former vice-captain back to Merseyside.
For Real Madrid, however, selling could become an attractive option if Mourinho continues to favour alternative players.
Madrid reportedly paid around €10 million (£8.5m) to secure Alexander-Arnold’s early release from Liverpool. A future sale for a substantially higher figure would therefore allow the Spanish giants to make a profit.
It could also help reduce the club’s wage bill by moving on a player who is not guaranteed a regular starting role.
Much, however, would depend on Alexander-Arnold himself.
A return would take him back to the club where he spent most of his career, developed into a world-class player and enjoyed enormous success.
For Liverpool, the reunion could bring experience, creativity and competition at right-back. For Real Madrid, it could provide a financial return and create room for further squad changes.
For Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, returning to Anfield could offer a chance to rediscover the environment in which he enjoyed the most successful period of his career.
For now, though, a Liverpool reunion remains a reported possibility rather than a confirmed transfer or agreement.
