Trent Alexander-Arnold could return to Liverpool a year after his departure

English right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold could make a surprising return to Liverpool just one year after leaving for Real Madrid. According to insider Indy Kaila, the 27-year-old player “will return to Liverpool” if the club manages to agree a transfer with Real Madrid. The defender left Anfield this summer after refusing to extend his contract, signing for the Spanish club on a free transfer. Yet his first season in Madrid is said to have fallen short of expectations.

Alexander-Arnold has struggled to secure playing time at Real Madrid. Position changes and injuries have limited his impact, a situation compounded by the arrival of Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan this summer. The Dutchman appears to have been preferred at right-back from the opening La Liga fixtures, pushing the Englishman to the bench. This raises questions about his long-term future at the Santiago Bernabéu. If his role does not improve, Liverpool could represent an unexpected lifeline for the defender (Source: Caught Offside).

A return that could reignite his career

A return to Anfield would be an extraordinary twist given the circumstances of his departure. Yet this scenario would also give Alexander-Arnold the chance to reignite his career at the club where he established himself as one of the world’s best full-backs. Liverpool could simultaneously address its defensive issues, where injuries have weakened available options at right-back. Jeremie Frimpong, with his explosive runs and high speed, could be deployed higher up the pitch, but his profile does not fully cover the need at right-back (Source: Caught Offside). The former Liverpool FC academy graduate remains renowned for his passing quality, game awareness and crossing ability—attributes that would allow him to create chances from positions where other full-backs struggle. His capacity to switch play and deliver dangerous crosses could add another dimension to the Reds’ build-up play. Yet any deal would hinge on Real Madrid’s willingness to sell a player they only signed last summer. It would also require overcoming the emotional aspect of his exit, which had disappointed a section of the Anfield faithful.

A scenario dependent on negotiations

Football is evolving rapidly. If Alexander-Arnold continues to see limited playing time under José Mourinho and Real Madrid agree to part ways with him, Liverpool could seize a unique opportunity to bring back one of its academy talents. For the Reds' manager, the addition of Alexander-Arnold’s distribution and creativity to the defense could be too tempting to ignore (Source: Caught Offside). A return to Liverpool would therefore depend entirely on negotiations between the two clubs, but the prospect of seeing Alexander-Arnold wear the red shirt again just one year after his departure would be one of the most dramatic twists of this summer’s transfer window. The defender, who came through Anfield’s academy, made his mark at the club with his technique and ability to initiate play—qualities that could still make all the difference (Source: Caught Offside).