Steven Gerrard has said he would personally like to see Liverpool re-sign Trent Alexander-Arnold, but he is unsure whether the former Reds defender would be the right fit for Andoni Iraola's current squad.
Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool for Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 after his contract at Anfield ran down. The Reds received £10m after the La Liga club paid to release him from the final month of his deal so he could play in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Difficult Spell in Spain
The England international has made 43 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid but has started only 18 times in La Liga. He has struggled with injuries and form, and was left out of England's squad for last summer's World Cup.
Under new manager Jose Mourinho, Alexander-Arnold has fallen down the pecking order at right-back, with Federico Valverde and summer signing Denzel Dumfries seemingly ahead of him. He has made eight appearances under Mourinho, starting five times and being left as an unused substitute on six occasions.
He impressed from the start in a 3-0 victory over Racing Santander, but continues to be linked with a possible exit, including a return to Liverpool.
Liverpool's Right-Back Issues
Liverpool have faced their own problems at right-back since his departure. Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong have both struggled with injuries, and Frimpong has not recaptured his form from his time at Bayer Leverkusen.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones played a significant number of matches at right-back last season, while loanee Ronald Araujo has become first-choice in the role under Iraola despite being a natural centre-back.
Gerrard, speaking on The Overlap Daily, brought to you by Sky Bet, said: "He's a wonderful player. I've been on record loads of times. He was unbelievable for Liverpool at times.
"His passing-range is world-level, up there with the best. But at the moment, from what I've seen - obviously he's not playing that much for Madrid - he wouldn't be in my World XI.
"Ability-wise, talent-wise, yes (I'd take him back at Liverpool). The decision he made, and all the stuff around it, do I think it'd be the right thing for Liverpool's group now and the supporters?
"I'm going to sit on the fence and say I'm unsure. Ability-wise, talent-wise, what he'd done for Liverpool in terms of the success, I would say yes, but the ending, and that still being a little bit raw.
"Personally, I would have him back, yes. So, I won't sit on the fence, because that's poor from me. I would, yes.
"Do I think it's the right thing for this group now and this manager now and where Liverpool are at right now? I'm unsure.
"But does he make the Liverpool team and squad better ability-wise and talent-wise? He does, 100%. So, it's tough. It's tough.
"I would, yes, and ability-wise, yes. I'm just not sure it's right for the group right now. That would be my take on it."
