A stunning report has claimed that Trent Alexander-Arnold could return to Liverpool just one year after leaving the club for Real Madrid.
According to transfer insider Indy Kaila, the England international “will return to Liverpool” if the Reds can reach an agreement with Real Madrid over a potential transfer.
Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool after allowing his contract to expire before joining Real Madrid. His departure was disappointing for sections of the Liverpool fanbase, particularly because he had spent his entire career at the club and had become one of the world’s leading attacking full-backs.
However, his first season in Madrid has reportedly been difficult. Positional changes and injury problems have affected his involvement, while Real Madrid’s decision to sign Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan has increased competition for the right-back position. Dumfries has reportedly been preferred in the early matches of the new La Liga campaign.
That situation has led to speculation about Alexander-Arnold’s long-term future at the Santiago Bernabéu. If he continues to struggle for regular playing time and Madrid become willing to sell, Liverpool could potentially provide him with an escape route.
Why Liverpool could want him back
Liverpool already have Jeremie Frimpong, whose attacking qualities make him dangerous going forward, but injuries to other right-back options have created uncertainty in the position.
Alexander-Arnold would offer something different. His passing range, vision, crossing and ability to switch play could give Liverpool another creative weapon from deep. His knowledge of the club and familiarity with the Premier League could also make a return relatively straightforward from a footballing perspective.
Would Liverpool actually bring him back?
A deal would depend heavily on Real Madrid agreeing to sell a player they signed only a year ago. There would also be an emotional issue to overcome.
His decision to leave Liverpool on a free transfer caused frustration among some supporters, so returning to Anfield would mean rebuilding that relationship with the fans.
Still, football can change quickly. If Alexander-Arnold remains out of favour in Madrid and Liverpool see an opportunity to bring their academy graduate home, a reunion could become one of the most surprising transfer stories of the summer.
For Andoni Iraola, adding Alexander-Arnold’s elite distribution and creativity to the Liverpool defence could be a very attractive option. At the moment, however, the report presents the return as dependent on Liverpool and Real Madrid reaching an agreement, rather than a completed or confirmed transfer.
