Alexander-Arnold’s Real Madrid Future Raises Questions as Liverpool Return Call Emerges Again

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid has not unfolded in the way the player or the Spanish club’s supporters might have expected. As the new season gets underway, questions are once again being raised about his future, particularly after his place in Jose Mourinho’s starting lineup became far from guaranteed.

Now, an idea that once seemed distant has returned to the conversation, with one analyst urging the England international to consider a return to Liverpool as his role at Real Madrid continues to decline.

Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2025 after many successful years at Liverpool, but he has so far struggled to establish himself as a consistent starter in Spain. During his first season, he made 30 appearances across all competitions, starting 22 of them, while injuries affected his consistency.

Competition for the right-back position has increased this season following the arrival of Denzel Dumfries, who has earned Mourinho’s trust in several matches. According to Liverpool.com, Alexander-Arnold started only two of Real Madrid’s first six games of the campaign and was also left on the bench for the 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano.

Mourinho also used Alexander-Arnold in midfield against Inter Milan because of several absences in the center of the pitch. However, the Portuguese coach later made it clear that he does not view the player as a midfielder, adding another layer of uncertainty over how best to use him.

That situation has prompted calls for a return to Liverpool. European football analyst Andy Brassell discussed Alexander-Arnold’s situation and argued that the player has been placed in a difficult position at Real Madrid, while the criticism surrounding him does not necessarily reflect his true level.

At the same time, there is currently no confirmation that Real Madrid have decided to sell Alexander-Arnold or that a return to Liverpool is close to becoming a reality. Earlier reports indicated that Real Madrid had no intention of getting rid of him despite his difficult start, with the player expected to continue competing with Dumfries for his position.

Alexander-Arnold also remains a major talking point at Liverpool, particularly after former teammate Andy Robertson recently defended his defensive ability. Robertson argued that criticism of Alexander-Arnold in that area has been exaggerated and pointed to several high-profile matches in which the defender performed at an excellent level.

For now, Alexander-Arnold’s Real Madrid story is far from over. However, his reduced playing time and the competition for his position have brought the possibility of a Liverpool return back into the conversation, at least as a matter of speculation and analysis.