Liverpool fans were left disappointed when Trent Alexander-Arnold chose to run down his contract and depart Anfield after two decades with the club. The 27-year-old right-back joined Real Madrid in a cut-price deal reportedly worth around £10 million. What was intended as a dream move to the Spanish giants has quickly turned into a nightmare for both player and club — and now Liverpool have a genuine opportunity to bring one of their greatest academy graduates back home.
The Premier League champions have felt Alexander-Arnold’s absence acutely. Without their former captain at right-back, Arne Slot has been forced to improvise, often deploying Dominik Szoboszlai in the position. Injuries to Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong have only highlighted how sorely missed Alexander-Arnold’s playmaking ability and vision have been from Liverpool’s backline. The Reds’ defensive and creative balance has suffered, underscoring just how integral the England international was to the team’s success.
For Alexander-Arnold himself, the situation in Madrid has been equally troubling. Hampered by injuries throughout much of his debut season, he has struggled for consistency and has subsequently lost his place in the England squad. Prospects of making Gareth Southgate’s (or his successor’s) travelling party for the FIFA World Cup now appear remote.
Recent events have intensified the scrutiny. At the weekend, Real Madrid suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat away to Mallorca — a result that could prove decisive in their pursuit of the Spanish title. While the team as a whole underperformed, Spanish media singled out Alexander-Arnold for particular criticism. According to a report in Defensa Central, “Real Madrid is starting to lose patience with Trent.”
The financial reality only adds pressure. Alexander-Arnold is understood to be earning approximately £300,000 per week at the Bernabéu — significantly more than the £180,000 he received at Liverpool and equivalent to around €9 million net per season. For a player who arrived on what was effectively a free transfer (with Madrid paying a modest compensation fee), the return on investment has been deemed unacceptable.
The report continues: “He arrived at the club on a free transfer, but we’re talking about one of the highest-paid players at the club… That’s far too high a figure for such poor performances.” Questions are now being raised about his long-term future at the club. Madrid insiders are reportedly reconsidering whether signing him was the right decision and whether he is the right-back they want as their starter for years to come.
Crucially, speculation has emerged that Alexander-Arnold could be sold as early as this summer — just one year after arriving. The positive financial aspect for Madrid, should they choose to offload him, is clear: any sale would generate a profit, even accounting for the initial outlay.
This development presents Liverpool with a compelling opportunity. With Mohamed Salah and other senior players potentially departing, the club will have additional room in the wage budget. Richard Hughes has already been linked with reinforcements at right-back, including names such as Jules Koundé and Denzel Dumfries. Yet none carry the same pedigree, familiarity, or proven quality as Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool are missing his class and quality on the pitch. Real Madrid, for all their prestige, have shown little appreciation for the unique talents that made him a Liverpool legend. The analytical reality is straightforward: a player who once embodied the club’s identity is now available, unsettled, and potentially surplus to requirements elsewhere.
It could well be time to bring him home. A return to Anfield would not only solve an immediate tactical headache for Arne Slot but also represent a poetic and pragmatic resolution to a transfer saga that has left both parties questioning their decisions. For Liverpool supporters, the prospect of Alexander-Arnold wearing red once again is more than just good business — it feels like football justice.