Credit: Imago

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

Correspondent AUTHORITY NCTJ-qualified football journalist with experience at VAVEL, Hayters TV, SPORTbible, and Centredevils. FOCUS Premier League analysis, tactical deep-dives, and original opinion content across Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City, and Celtic. THE INSIGHT Evan utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides specialist tactical and analytical content to ensure fans get beyond the headlines and understand the full picture.

Published on:

28 Aug 2025, 4:00 pm

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.

Konate is yet to sign a new contract (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-Arnold	Liverpool
Appearances	354
Goals	23
Assists	92

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.

Read more: Arne Slot pulls off another blinder as Jurgen Klopp-loving coach set for Anfield move

Our #UCL league phase opponents are confirmed ✅ pic.twitter.com/jQulzkzeUs
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 28, 2025

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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Trent Alexander-Arnold