Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks out on Anfield comeback after Real Madrid are paired with Liverpool in Champions League draw
Trent Alexander-Arnold quickly responded after discovering he will return to Anfield with Real Madrid in the Champions League league phase, following the draw that pitted Los Blancos against Liverpool.
The 26-year-old defender left Anfield for Madrid after helping the Reds secure the 2024/25 Premier League title. In June, he was officially unveiled as a Real player, with the Spanish giants paying around £8.5 million to terminate his Liverpool contract early ahead of the Club World Cup.
Since moving to Spain, Alexander-Arnold has featured seven times in competitive action, recording two assists. On his arrival, he stated that one of his main motivations for joining was the chance “to win many trophies and be a champion.” Few clubs embody that ambition more than Madrid, who boast 15 Champions League titles. However, last season ended in disappointment as they crashed out to Arsenal in the quarter-finals, losing 5-1 on aggregate, and finished the campaign without silverware.
Now under the management of Xabi Alonso, Madrid face another tough league phase, including a trip to Anfield. Manchester City are also set to visit the Santiago Bernabéu, while Liverpool will host Real in one of the standout fixtures.
The two sides also met at Anfield during last season’s group phase, with Liverpool winning 2-0 courtesy of goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo. On that day, Alexander-Arnold was named among the substitutes but didn’t get on the pitch.
The exact date of his return to Anfield is still unknown, as UEFA has yet to confirm fixture dates and kick-off times. Nevertheless, the England international reacted swiftly, sharing Real Madrid’s group-stage fixture list on his Instagram story within minutes of the draw.
2025/26 Champions League group fixtures:
Liverpool: Real Madrid (h), Inter (a), Atlético (h), Frankfurt (a), PSV (h), Marseille (a), Qarabag (h), Galatasaray (a)
Real Madrid: Man City (h), Liverpool (a), Juventus (h), Benfica (a), Marseille (h), Olympiakos (a), Monaco (h), Kairat Almaty (a)
Key dates for the 2025/26 league phase:
Matchday 1: 16–18 September 2025
Matchday 2: 30 September–1 October 2025
Matchday 3: 21–22 October 2025
Matchday 4: 4–5 November 2025
Matchday 5: 25–26 November 2025
Matchday 6: 9–10 December 2025
Matchday 7: 20–21 January 2026
Matchday 8: 28 January 2026
