Trent Alexander-Arnold has endured a frustrating start to the season following a difficult debut campaign at Real Madrid, with a potential return to Liverpool being talked about. The England international has been an unused substitute in four of the Spanish giants' La Liga fixtures, with players who are not natural right-backs preferred ahead of him.
Difficult Start at the Bernabeu
Alexander-Arnold departed Liverpool in the summer of 2025 to join Xabi Alonso at the Bernabeu. However, there have since been significant changes in the Madrid dugout, with Alonso leaving the club and Alvaro Arbeloa briefly taking charge before Jose Mourinho was appointed in the summer.
Despite putting the fitness problems that disrupted his first season in Spain behind him, Alexander-Arnold has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter under Mourinho. The former Liverpool defender is yet to start consecutive league matches this season and has played fewer than 400 minutes, with summer signing Denzel Dumfries often getting the nod at right-back.
Benched in Sevilla Victory
During Madrid's 4-1 victory over Sevilla last weekend, both Alexander-Arnold and Dumfries were left watching from the substitutes' bench as players more accustomed to other positions were deployed at right-back.
The situation caught the attention of La Liga commentator Terry Gibson, who pointed out after watching the TV footage: "I had to smile last Sunday night. Valverde started and then Mourinho put Eder Militao at right back late on. The camera cut to Dumfries and Alexander-Arnold on the bench and they looked at each other as if to say, 'I thought this was our competition.'"
Gibson added: "He has never been regarded as a major, superstar signing. Even when he joined, the hope was that Dani Carvajal would be fit and play ahead of him. Then, when Carvajal left this summer, they signed Denzel Dumfries. But the bigger problem now is that Mourinho has moved Federico Valverde, a midfielder, to right back."
Premier League Return Speculation
Despite having another five years remaining on his contract at the Bernabeu, Alexander-Arnold appears to have fallen out of favour under Mourinho, sparking speculation over his future and a possible return to the Premier League.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Manchester City defender Kyle Walker admitted he would welcome the prospect of seeing Alexander-Arnold return to English football but that a return to Liverpool looks unlikely. "I think everyone knows how I feel about Trent," said Walker. "I think he's an unbelievable player. [But] can he go back to Liverpool with the way that he left? I'm not too sure. Do I see him at another club? He's got to go to one of the big ones: Manchester United, Man City."
Alexander-Arnold's departure from Liverpool was met with frustration from sections of the club's supporters following months of uncertainty surrounding his future. The right-back had entered the final year of his contract at Anfield, with speculation mounting over a potential move to Madrid as he remained tight-lipped over whether he would sign a new deal.
Despite Liverpool's efforts to secure his long-term future, Alexander-Arnold eventually confirmed he would be leaving his boyhood club after 21 years. His decision sparked a backlash from some supporters, who were disappointed by his decision to walk away, particularly with the Reds unable to secure a significant transfer fee for one of their most valuable players.
The 28-year-old subsequently completed his move to the Spanish giants in the summer of 2025, bringing an end to his long association with Liverpool. However, his time in Spain has not gone entirely to plan. Alexander-Arnold has started just three La Liga matches and one Champions League fixture this season, with midfielder Federico Valverde among those preferred at right-back. The arrival of Dumfries in the summer has also increased competition for places.
