Liverpool draw Real Madrid in Champions League – Alexander-Arnold will return to Anfield

Liverpool have been matched up against familiar foe Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage yet again this season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid in May after letting his contract run down at Anfield, in a move that angered fans.

And the defender will now return to face the Reds, after the two teams were drawn against each other in the Champions League for the second consecutive year.

Alexander-Arnold has struggled for Real Madrid in the early stages of his time in La Liga, but fans will be hoping the 26-year-old is selected to start at Anfield.

Liverpool signed Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen to replace the right-back, but the Dutchman has since picked up an injury.

Ibrahima Konate playing for Liverpool in their home strip
Credit: Imago

Trent Alexander-Arnold to return to Anfield

Ibrahima Konate could also join Real Madrid from Liverpool next summer, with the defender eyeing up a similar plan to Alexander-Arnold.

Both moves would underline a developing animosity between the two clubs, with the Reds still nursing scars from two separate Champions League finals.

The 2017/18 final saw Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1, with two glaring mistakes from Loris Karius and an iconic Gareth Bale bicycle kick making for a painful night for the Reds.

Trent Alexander-ArnoldLiverpool
Appearances354
Goals23
Assists92

And history would repeat itself four years later, when Vinicius Junior scored to earn Los Blancos a 1-0 win over Jurgen Klopp’s side in Paris.

Liverpool did get one back over their Spanish nemesis last season, however, with goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo giving the Anfield side a 2-0 win in the Champions League group stage.

And the latest instalment is set to take place this season, with Liverpool drawing Real Madrid at home in the group stage once again, with Alexander-Arnold set to return to Anfield for the first time.

Anfield set to give Trent Alexander-Arnold torturous night

Alexander-Arnold will not be unaware of the reception that awaits him at Anfield.

Liverpool fans were unhappy with the way the defender went about his departure, letting his contract down instead of allowing the Reds to earn a sizable fee on their academy product.

And Anfield is sure to voice its displeasure when Alexander-Arnold arrives in the colours of another team, despite the England international’s status as a Liverpool academy product.

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