Liverpool are being encouraged to look past the emotional fallout and weigh up a potential reunion with Trent Alexander-Arnold, barely a year after he left for Real Madrid. It’s a suggestion that’s bound to raise eyebrows given how his exit played out and the frosty reception it drew from a section of supporters, but the case for it on football grounds alone is growing harder to dismiss.
Conor Bradley is still a long way off full fitness following a serious knee problem, and while Jeremie Frimpong has plenty of attacking qualities, he’s arguably better suited to a more advanced role than out-and-out right-back. Liverpool have already strengthened elsewhere this window with the signings of Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Muñoz, but neither addresses the specific gap at right-back — the additions bring more defensive cover and attacking options, yet the club is still short of a genuine creative outlet from that position.
The situation has become increasingly hard to ignore. Bradley remains some way from a comeback according to the club’s own website, leaving right-back as one of Andoni Iraola’s biggest selection headaches, and Frimpong’s forward-thinking style doesn’t fully make up for the passing range and vision Alexander-Arnold used to provide. Bringing him back would also come with the advantage of familiarity — he already knows the club, the Premier League, and what’s expected at Anfield, meaning far less of an adjustment period than signing someone new, while his ability to unlock deep defensive blocks could prove useful too.
That said, the obstacles are real. Real Madrid would likely demand a significant fee, and plenty of fans haven’t forgotten the circumstances of his departure. Madrid’s move for Dumfries could, in theory, soften their stance in any negotiation, though competition from elsewhere for Alexander-Arnold’s signature could just as easily complicate things. For now, the suggestion is that Liverpool should at least explore what a deal might look like without committing to anything — a reunion at the right price could be an instant upgrade, but only if the player is truly committed to earning back the trust he lost.
