I have to admit, I never expected us to be talking about Trent Alexander-Arnold potentially returning to Liverpool quite so soon.
When he left Anfield for Real Madrid in 2025, it felt like the end of a chapter that would never really be reopened. Trent wanted a new challenge, and Madrid offered him the chance to play for one of the biggest clubs in world football.
But things haven’t gone as he would have hoped.
According to TEAMtalk, Trent is growing frustrated with his lack of playing time at Real Madrid and is considering his future, with Liverpool among several clubs monitoring his situation. Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are also reportedly keeping an eye on developments.
And suddenly, a Liverpool return doesn’t seem quite so far-fetched.
I’m not saying it will happen. There are plenty of complications, and Trent still has to decide what he wants from the next stage of his career.
But I certainly think this is a situation worth watching.
Trent isn’t getting the football he expected
The biggest issue appears to be playing time.
TEAMtalk reports that Trent made just 14 starts last season and has started only three matches so far this campaign.
The latest setback came against Sevilla, when Real Madrid chose to use Federico Valverde at right-back despite Trent being available. Valverde is normally a midfielder, which tells you something about the competition Trent is facing for a place in the team.
Imagine being Trent.
You leave Liverpool, move abroad and take on one of the biggest challenges in football, only to find yourself struggling to get regular minutes.
Of course, playing for Real Madrid was never going to be easy. Competition for places is fierce, and moving to another country brings its own challenges.
But Trent is 28 now. He should be approaching the prime years of his career, not spending them wondering when his next start will come.
His lack of football has also reportedly affected his England prospects, with his place in the national setup becoming increasingly uncertain.
At some point, he has to ask himself whether this is really how he wants things to continue.
Liverpool still haven’t properly replaced him
This is where things get interesting for Liverpool supporters.
Whatever anybody thinks about the way Trent left, there is no denying what he brought to the team.
His passing range was extraordinary. His ability to switch play, deliver crosses and create chances from deep made him one of the most distinctive right-backs in modern football.
And let’s be honest, Liverpool haven’t found a like-for-like replacement for him.
Jeremie Frimpong arrived with plenty of attacking quality, but he has struggled to settle into the demands of the role. Ronald Araújo has offered greater defensive security at right-back, and I have been impressed by what he brings to the team.
But Araújo and Trent are completely different players.
One offers physical strength and defensive reliability. The other can change a game with one pass.
That doesn’t automatically mean Liverpool should bring Trent back. Iraola has his own ideas about how he wants his team to play, and the balance between attacking quality and defensive security matters.
However, if a player with Trent’s ability becomes available, Liverpool would surely have to consider the situation.
Would Liverpool supporters welcome him back?
This is probably the biggest question.
Trent’s departure hurt plenty of supporters. He came through the academy, became one of Liverpool’s most important players and lifted major trophies with his boyhood club.
For many fans, the move to Real Madrid was difficult to accept.
But football has a funny way of changing people’s minds.
If Trent returned because he genuinely wanted to play for Liverpool again, would supporters give him another chance?
I suspect there would be mixed reactions.
Some would welcome him back immediately. Others would question whether Liverpool should revisit a relationship that ended in such disappointing circumstances.
Personally, I would judge it on footballing grounds.
If Trent wanted to return, and Liverpool believed he could improve the team, I would at least listen to the argument.
You don’t ignore a player’s history, but you shouldn’t let that history make every decision for you either.
The question is whether he would make Liverpool better now, not whether he was brilliant for us in the past.
There are two major obstacles
Before anybody gets carried away, there are some obvious complications.
First, there is Real Madrid.
TEAMtalk reports that Madrid are not actively trying to force Trent out, although they could consider a reasonable offer if his situation fails to improve.
That is a long way from saying they are ready to sell him.
Second, there is the financial side.
Trent joined Madrid in 2025 on significant terms, and his salary could make a return difficult. Liverpool would need to decide whether the overall cost made sense, particularly when other positions may also need strengthening.
Then there is the tactical question.
Would Iraola want Trent as his first-choice right-back? Could he use him in midfield? Would the defensive balance work?
Those are questions Liverpool would need to answer before making any serious move.
I wouldn’t rule it out
What makes this story interesting is that it isn’t simply about nostalgia.
Liverpool have a position to think about, Trent is reportedly frustrated with his minutes, and several clubs are monitoring his situation.
That combination makes it worth following.
I’m not suggesting Liverpool should rush out and sign him. Araújo has been giving the team something valuable defensively, and any decision has to be about what is best for the squad.
But I would be lying if I said the possibility of seeing Trent back at Anfield didn’t intrigue me.
He knows the club. He knows the supporters. He understands what it means to play for Liverpool.
And despite the frustration surrounding his departure, his footballing qualities haven’t suddenly disappeared.
For now, the reports point to interest rather than an imminent transfer. Trent’s immediate task is still to fight for his place at Real Madrid.
But if his playing time doesn’t improve, this could become a much bigger story over the coming months.
Liverpool may never have expected to face this decision so soon after his departure.
Yet here we are.
And if Trent Alexander-Arnold really does become available, Liverpool will have to decide whether the past should stay in the past — or whether bringing him home could help take the team forward again.
I’d certainly be interested to hear the argument.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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