Trent Alexander-Arnold Returns To Anfield As Real Madrid Star — Will Liverpool Fans Forgive Their “Scouser In The Team”?

Trent Alexander-Arnold is coming home — but not as a Red. The England international returns to Anfield for the first time since his shock move to Real Madrid, and the football world is buzzing with one big question: will Liverpool fans welcome him back, or will the boos drown out the applause?

The 27-year-old defender, once hailed as “the Scouser in our team,” left Liverpool at the end of his contract last summer. His decision to walk away from his boyhood club sparked fury among supporters, who made their feelings known with loud jeers when he appeared as a substitute against Arsenal in May.

Now, fit again after a hamstring injury, Alexander-Arnold is set to line up for Real Madrid in the Champions League clash — a stage big enough for both redemption and reckoning.

A hometown hero turned villain

Few players have embodied Liverpool’s modern era like Alexander-Arnold. From local lad to Champions League winner, he helped deliver the club’s first Premier League title in three decades and won every major honour available. But emotions ran high when he chose to start a new chapter in Spain.

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes the Anfield crowd will be torn.

“I think the reception will be mixed,” he told BBC Sport. “I don’t think he’ll be expecting a standing ovation after the way things went, but he deserves respect. He was an incredible servant to the club who wanted to challenge himself.”

And that’s the heart of it — admiration wrapped in disappointment.

How Liverpool have struggled without him

Under new head coach Arne Slot, Liverpool’s £450 million squad overhaul hasn’t quite clicked. Before their recent 2–0 win against Aston Villa, the Reds had lost six of seven matches — a far cry from their dominant best.

A big part of that decline? The absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

His chemistry with Mohamed Salah was electric — a creative partnership built on instinct, vision, and flawless execution. The duo produced countless goals, with Trent delivering 147 line-breaking passes to Salah during last season’s title run — more than any other Premier League combination.

Warnock noted:

“Trent leaving has had an impact on Salah. Their partnership was almost taken for granted. They complemented each other perfectly — when one moved, the other knew exactly what to do.”

And it wasn’t just attack. Trent’s ability to drift into midfield, dictate play, and stretch defences added another layer to Liverpool’s style. Without him, their right side has looked less fluid, and players like Ibrahima Konaté have struggled to adjust.

The “De Bruyne effect” Liverpool can’t replace

Warnock compared Trent’s creative influence to that of Kevin De Bruyne — high praise from a former pro.

“He was a right-back, but effectively a midfielder. Like De Bruyne, he made defenders drop deeper because they feared his passing. Even when he didn’t find the killer ball, they knew it was coming.”

Liverpool’s attempts to replace him — including the £29 million signing of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen — have been hampered by injuries and inconsistency. Frimpong’s best position remains a question mark, while young Conor Bradley still needs time to develop chemistry with Salah.

So, what kind of reception awaits?

It’s hard to predict. Time may have softened some of the anger, especially after Jurgen Klopp publicly urged fans to respect the player who gave them so many unforgettable moments. Yet for others, the sting of betrayal lingers.

What’s certain is that all eyes will be on Alexander-Arnold when he steps onto the Anfield turf. Whether he’s greeted with boos or cheers, it will be a night charged with emotion — a homecoming laced with history, heartbreak, and perhaps, a hint of healing.