By Martin Graham
Trent Alexander-Arnold insists his affection for Liverpool remains undiminished ahead of his first visit to Anfield as a Real Madrid player. The 27-year-old right-back, who left the Reds in June after allowing his contract to expire, will face his former side on Tuesday, 4 November, in the Champions League group stage.
Speaking to Amazon Prime, Alexander-Arnold said his bond with Liverpool would not be affected by the reception he receives. “Whatever happens, my feelings toward the club stay the same,” he explained. “The memories I’ve made there will last forever, and that won’t change regardless of how people respond.”
Controversial exit and emotional ties
The England international made 354 appearances for his hometown team, playing his final match in May against Crystal Palace when Liverpool celebrated lifting the Premier League trophy. His departure followed months of speculation, after he became one of three senior players — along with Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah — entering the last year of their contracts.
While Van Dijk and Salah extended their deals in April, Alexander-Arnold opted to move on, joining Real Madrid for a reported £8.4 million fee ahead of the Club World Cup. Some supporters criticised his decision, with posters outside Anfield questioning his loyalty despite his major role in securing two league titles, a Champions League crown, and several domestic trophies.
“The fans are entitled to feel however they do,” he said. “Liverpool will always have my heart. I’ll always be grateful for what the club gave me, and the success we shared will stay with me forever.” The full-back added that he would not celebrate if he scored against his old team.
Life in Madrid and Bellingham’s support
Since moving to Spain, Alexander-Arnold has endured a challenging start, struggling for minutes, missing out on England selection, and spending weeks sidelined with a hamstring problem picked up against Marseille on 16 September. He has only just returned to Real’s matchday squad and is expected to begin Tuesday’s clash on the bench as Xabi Alonso’s side aim for a fourth straight European win.
Despite the difficulties, he credited teammate Jude Bellingham for helping him adapt to life in Madrid. “He’s been a huge help,” said Alexander-Arnold. “It’s great having someone who understands where you come from. Jude made it much easier to settle in.”
The former Liverpool defender also revealed that several ex-teammates reached out when the draw was made. “I spoke to Robbo, Mo, and Ibu — we laughed about it,” he said. “We all knew this tie was meant to happen. Once the whistle blows, though, it’s all about football.”
