Trent Alexander-Arnold’s journey to the past: “Everything will be different...”

Alexander-Arnold is gone. Trent is back. The prodigal son returns—but not in the way many Liverpool fans might have imagined.

Born and raised in Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold was a local hero at Anfield. He grew up in Clubmoor, joined the Reds at age six in 2004, and spent over two decades wearing the badge. In that time, he racked up 354 appearances, scored 23 goals, delivered 92 assists, and lifted eight major trophies—including two Premier League titles (2019–20 and 2024–25) and the 2019 Champions League.

A new challenge in Madrid

But at 27, he made a seismic decision: he turned down a contract extension and signed as a free agent with Real Madrid. Now, fate has brought him back to Merseyside—only this time, he’ll be walking into the visitors’ locker room.

“Everything will be different,” Trent admitted in an interview with Amazon Prime. “I’ll be warming up on the other side, sitting in the away dressing room… but that’s part of the game.”

He knew this moment would come. “When the draw happened, everyone saw it coming. It felt predestined. I always knew I’d return at some point. It’s bittersweet—but I’m excited.”

Liverpool’s start to the new season has been concerning - four straight league defeats including a home loss to United, and a defense that has been conceding goals too easily. In the first 10 games, the Reds have managed just three clean sheets - 14 goals conceded in the Premier League, nine teams have let in fewer.

Yet Trent doesn’t trust the stats. “I’ve played there. I know the manager. I know how good that team is,” he said. “Even if the results haven’t been great lately, they’re still a world-class football club.”

Will Trent start at Anfield?

Whether he’ll actually start Tuesday’s game at Anfield remains uncertain. He’s only recently recovered from a hamstring injury but hasn’t featured since. Despite Dani Carvajal’s absence, Federico Valverde started at right back against Valencia at the weekend and is expected to do so again in Liverpool. Trent is match-fit, but not yet match-tested. His challenge isn’t just returning—it’s adapting. Adapting to Xabi Alonso’s system. Adapting to a new rhythm.

There were flashes of promise at last summer’s Club World Cup, but in just 156 minutes of action this season, he’s yet to fully click. Still, both Trent and Xabi remain patient.

Anfield reception

If he does get out on the field, one thing is certain: he won’t celebrate if he scores. “Out of respect,” he said. “Out of love. No matter what happens, my feelings for Liverpool won’t change.” Even if the reception is frosty? “That’s up to the fans,” he added. “I’ll always be a fan. I’m forever grateful for the opportunities and everything we experienced together. Whatever happens, it’ll be a special day.”

Trent also opened up about his decision to move to Madrid—and the role Jude Bellingham played in it. “There was a lot of talk… the whole ‘Agent Jude’ thing,” he said with a smile. “Especially during his first season at Real Madrid. We’d meet up with the England squad and everyone wanted to know what it was like behind the scenes. He’d say it was unbelievable—he’d never seen anything like it. The hunger to win, the expectation to win. He spoke so highly of the club. And by then, I’d already made up my mind. I needed a change. I wanted a new challenge—on and off the pitch.”

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