Trent Alexander-Arnold reportedly tipped for an early Real Madrid departure

 

 

Liverpool fans are once again being forced to consider an awkward “what if” surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold, after reports from Spain claimed his Real Madrid spell could be heading for an early conclusion.

Spanish outlet El Nacional suggests the England international has struggled to adapt to life in Madrid, battling injuries, inconsistency and a lack of rhythm. Following an honest discussion with Álvaro Arbeloa, now part of the Bernabéu hierarchy, Trent has reportedly been encouraged to consider a move away in the summer.

From a Liverpool perspective, that naturally leads to one question: is a return ever possible?

The report offers a fairly grim assessment. Alexander-Arnold has featured just eight times in La Liga this season, starting only five matches and averaging around 50 minutes per appearance. Those figures point more to disrupted form than total failure, but criticism in Spain appears to extend well beyond the numbers.

His defensive solidity has reportedly been questioned, while his attacking output has not lived up to expectations. And hovering over everything is the emotional context of his departure from Liverpool.

Trent did not have to leave. He could have remained at Anfield, continued as vice-captain, and one day inherited the captain’s armband from Virgil van Dijk. Instead, he chose Real Madrid — a decision that fractured trust with sections of the fanbase.

That explains why the reaction at Anfield last season, and again when he returned wearing white, was so intense. Many felt misled, and the sense of betrayal ran deeper than some outside the club appeared to realise. The continued spotlight on his family’s public role has only widened that emotional gap.

Crucially, he has not been the influential, game-changing right-back he once was at Liverpool. This is not a quiet adaptation period — it is a high-profile transfer already being viewed by some as a misstep.

For now, talk of a reunion feels far-fetched. There has been no reported contact, no public expression of regret, and no clear route back outlined. Still, football has a way of rewriting narratives with time.

If his Madrid stint does end prematurely, Alexander-Arnold will face a defining moment in his career. One thing is becoming increasingly clear: leaving Liverpool is starting to look like the biggest gamble — and possibly the biggest mistake — of his career.

Having started only five league matches this season, the uncertainty surrounding his future highlights just how unsettled his post-Liverpool journey has already become.