Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly closing in on a sensational return to Anfield next month, as the Real Madrid full-back nears full fitness ahead of the Champions League clash with his former club, Liverpool.
The England international, who left Anfield in the summer to join Real Madrid, has been sidelined for the past month after picking up a hamstring injury early in Los Blancos’ European fixture against Marseille. Initially expected to miss up to six weeks, new reports from Spain suggest his recovery is ahead of schedule — raising hopes of an early comeback.
According to sources close to the club, Alexander-Arnold is now targeting a return before Madrid’s visit to Merseyside on November 4. The 25-year-old is determined to be part of Xabi Alonso’s squad for the high-stakes meeting, with four domestic games still on the calendar before that clash.
His injury came at an especially frustrating moment. After a strong start to life in Spain, Alexander-Arnold had finally established himself in Alonso’s first-choice lineup. In his absence, captain Dani Carvajal has reclaimed the right-back position, meaning the Englishman now faces a battle to regain his place once fully fit.
The competition for playing time has also affected his England prospects. Gareth Southgate omitted him from the September internationals, citing a lack of recent minutes. However, the upcoming Liverpool reunion presents the perfect opportunity for Alexander-Arnold to reassert himself — both for club and country.
Reflecting on his summer move, the defender admitted that leaving Anfield was one of the toughest decisions of his life. “Liverpool is my home; it made me who I am,” he said in an interview with GQ España. “But Madrid felt like the right step at the right time — a new challenge that would push me to grow.”
Liverpool reportedly received a compensation package of around £10 million to release him early, allowing Real Madrid to finalize the transfer ahead of the Club World Cup. The move divided opinion among Liverpool fans. Some supporters praised his ambition, while others felt a deep sense of betrayal. His final game — an emotional farewell at Anfield against Crystal Palace — ended with a standing ovation and visible tears as he lingered on the pitch long after the final whistle.
Now, just months later, Alexander-Arnold is preparing to return to the same ground that made him a global star — but this time as an opponent. If his recovery continues as planned, he could feature against the club he once captained, in a match already shaping up to be one of the defining nights of the Champions League campaign.
For Liverpool, it will be a reunion filled with emotion and anticipation. For Alexander-Arnold, it will be a test of both loyalty and legacy — a chance to prove that his move to Madrid was the right decision after all.
