Trent Alexander-Arnold could be on his way back to Anfield. Liverpool have contacted the right-back’s representatives about a possible loan move from Real Madrid in January, according to reports in Spain this week.
The first report came from a Spanish radio programme on Thursday. It says Liverpool’s first idea is a loan for the second half of the season. Nothing formal has been agreed, and there is no offer on the table yet.
Few chances in Madrid
Alexander-Arnold left his boyhood club for Real Madrid in the summer of 2025. This season has been hard for him.
The 28-year-old has started only four games so far. He has fallen to third choice at right-back. Jose Mourinho has been using Federico Valverde there, and Denzel Dumfries is also ahead of him.
Valverde played right-back again in last Sunday’s Clásico, when Madrid won 2-1 at Barcelona.
Why a deal would not be easy
A loan sounds simple, but there are some big problems. His wages are reported to be around 16.7 million euros a year before tax, which is a lot for any club to cover, even for six months.
Madrid also have to think about the dressing room. Alexander-Arnold is close friends with Jude Bellingham, and reports say the club do not want to upset their England midfielder with a quick sale.
For now he is still a Real Madrid player, and neither club has said anything in public.
What Liverpool need
Andoni Iraola wants more cover in the full-back positions. A player who already knows the club, the city and the Premier League would need no time to settle.
The fans are another question. His exit in 2025 split opinion among Liverpool supporters, and a return would not please everyone.
Our take
This would be one of the most surprising moves of the January window. In 2025 Alexander-Arnold let his Liverpool contract run down and joined Madrid. Now he cannot get a regular game there.
A loan could suit everyone. Madrid would save on wages, Liverpool would get a quality player for half a season, and Alexander-Arnold would get regular football again. But the money has to work first, and right now it is far from done.
Would you welcome Trent back at Liverpool? Tell us in the comments.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Trent Alexander-Arnold by Werner100359 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah by Ardfern (CC BY-SA 4.0), Jude Bellingham by Bryan Berlin (CC BY-SA 4.0), The Kop at Anfield by Robert Cutts (CC BY 2.0).
