Liverpool's lucky ESCAPE over Trent Alexander-Arnold after latest injury blow

Trent Alexander-Arnold opted to leave Liverpool in summer 2025 - right as the end of his contract was approaching.

Real Madrid were desperate to have the 26-year-old on board for the FIFA Club World Cup group stage - paying the Reds around £10m to secure him ahead of his official contract release.

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And right from the off, things haven’t been going to plan for the defender. He was still struggling with an ankle injury when he joined the 15-time European champions - which he picked up in the Champions League for Liverpool against Paris Saint-Germain.

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Nonetheless he was immediately thrust into the action for the tournament in the United States. Having played his part in Madrid’s progress to the semi-finals, he played NO part in the defeat to PSG.

Trent pushed aside for Carvajal

That injury-enforced absence had questions being raised in the Madrid media - who wondered if they’d signed an expensive right-back whose availability couldn’t be guaranteed.

Then it was reported that new head coach Xabi Alonso was being kept awake at night owing to Trent’s defensive deficiencies.

Although Trent started the season in possession of the right-back starting berth, it didn’t take him long to be pushed aside for returning Madrid captain Dani Carvajal.

It appears the England international’s primary role will be to keep Carvajal in shape for the sharp end of the season - although he did start the opening Champions League game of the season against Marseille on Tuesday.

Trent suffers hamstring injury

But Trent only lasted FOUR minutes before what appeared to be a hamstring injury struck him down. He is now facing a six-to-eight-week spell on the sidelines - with a return to Anfield scheduled in November.

Trent might be touch and go for that fixture given his injury troubles - but Alonso will be desperate to have him fit given Carvajal is suspended.

A new contract for the defender never appeared likely - and certainly not on the sums that Madrid are reported to be paying him.

Liverpool have lucky escape over Trent

But with Dominik Szoboszlai performing so well - and Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong the specialists in the position - it’s fair to say that Liverpool had a lucky escape.

Alexander-Arnold missed significant amounts of football last season for the Reds - and his injury troubles have been stretching on for at least a couple of campaigns now.

Maybe Liverpool got the best out of their homegrown hero before this apparent decline set in. Because on form - and fitness - Alexander-Arnold is not at the races right now.

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