Insane Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool return moves one step closer, story out of Real Madrid confirms it

Trent Alexander-Arnold's future is up in the air right now. A move to Liverpool looks a lot more likely after recent comments out of Real Madrid.

Trent Alexander-Arnold didn't exactly shock the football world when he left Liverpool for Real Madrid in 2025 but it was certainly one of the biggest moves in recent times. A homegrown Reds deciding to move away from the club, using the end of his contract to sign for Los Blancos.

It's a story we've seen before. Twice, ridiculously enough.

Steve McManaman did it back in 1999 as one of the very first major players to take advantage of the Bosman ruling. Though, Liverpool were a bit of a mess at the time and certainly not looking capable of challenging for the top honours.

Michael Owen in 2004, however, was a massive blow. He didn't really leave on a free but entered the final year of his contract while refusing to sign a new one. That forced a cut-price move for Liverpool's most valuable player, who joined Real Madrid for a pittance.

Fast-forward to 2025 and Alexander-Arnold did exactly the same thing. The Reds got a small fee for a fraction of his value and lost him to Madrid.

And yet, there's a sense that he might be the first of the three to actually head back the other way. Especially as it might just suit all parties.

Trent Alexander-Arnold to Liverpool

Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid with dreams of the Ballon d'Or. It doesn't feel too much to say that it's all turned into a nightmare.

The Scouser just doesn't play. He's appeared in just six of a possible 10 La Liga fixtures, starting a mere three of those. It's 266 minutes total out of a possible 900.

And now Jose Mourinho is making it clear that this is purely preference. There's competition for places at right-back and Alexander-Arnold is not first choice. Or second.

"[The situation with Alexander-Arnold] hurts me, said Mourinho.

"Our squad planning was to have 2 players in each position, and now I'm playing a 3rd guy in their place [Fede Valverde], and that really makes me sad.

"In this very specific situation, I think it's better for the team to play Fede there. I consider Fede a more offensive right-back than the other two right now.

"We explained this situation to Trent and [Denzel] Dumfries, and they both accepted it as they understood it's what best for the team right now.

"In the end, everyone will play."

Maybe everyone will play eventually but right now it's Alexander-Arnold who's missing out. Dumfries has started five of their 10 La Liga fixtures, playing in eight.

Understandably, then, speculation continues that Alexander-Arnold will leave the club and his reputation will absolutely develop intense interest in him from major clubs. But once you look at the elite clubs in need of a right-back, one stands out: Liverpool.

Jeremie Frimpong, essentially signed as Alexander-Arnold's replacement, has not worked out and they don't currently have a natural right-back. Ronald Araujo plays there but he's really a centre-back, even if he's playing very well.

His attacking output is minimal - a dramatic difference to when Alexander-Arnold was there.

Mourinho's admittance that the player is out of the team because he's just not preferred there is a proper admittance that Alexander-Arnold is surplus to requirements. Real Madrid won't let that situation continue, given his wages and value.

A move is getting closer, then. And it's to Liverpool that makes the most sense.