In a shocking development, Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly asked to return to Liverpool merely 24 hours after signing with Real Madrid. The 26-year-old right-back, who completed a £10 million transfer from Liverpool on June 12, 2025, is said to be struggling with homesickness and finding it difficult to adapt to life in Spain.
His departure from Liverpool, following 354 appearances and winning every major trophy — including two Premier League titles and the 2019 Champions League — sparked controversy. By allowing his contract to run down before joining Madrid, Alexander-Arnold angered some fans, with some going as far as booing him at Anfield or burning his iconic No. 66 shirt. While Liverpool’s owners maintained that he would “always be welcome back,” many supporters felt deeply disappointed. His confident Spanish at the Madrid unveiling, after just a few months of lessons, only fueled the belief that the move had been long planned.
However, things appear to have gone wrong quickly in Spain. Reports indicate that after just one training session in Miami’s Gardens North County District Park on June 15 — alongside stars like Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. — Alexander-Arnold confessed to feeling lonely and overwhelmed. The combination of intense heat and the immense pressure that comes with being at one of the world’s biggest clubs left him unsettled. By June 16, he had allegedly contacted Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes to discuss a potential return.
Real Madrid, who signed him on a six-year deal with a staggering €1 billion release clause, are reportedly furious. The Spanish club may demand not only the return of the £10 million fee but also extra compensation before considering letting him leave. Meanwhile, Liverpool, having already brought in Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5 million as his replacement, could be reluctant to disrupt their newly structured defence under manager Arne Slot.
The fanbase is divided. Some are mocking Alexander-Arnold for his rapid change of heart, while others are calling on the club to welcome him back. Whether he returns or not remains uncertain — but this saga might go down as one of the shortest and most expensive transfers in football history