Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso wants Trent Alexander-Arnold to enjoy his first return to Anfield, despite an anticipated hostile reception.
The Liverpool academy graduate’s decision not to renew his contract and leave in the summer led to him being booed by his own fans during the match against Arsenal in May after he had made his decision public.
Although Liverpool received £8.4million from Real to essentially buy out the final four weeks of his contract to enable him to compete in the Club World Cup, that was little consolation for many supporters who were upset by the way he handled his exit.
That is likely to be reflected in his reception on Tuesday evening, even if he does not make the starting line-up as he has not featured in the last two matches since returning from a hamstring injury sustained against Marseille in mid-September.
“We haven’t spoken about that precisely, but we have spoken about the team, the club,” said Alonso, whose previous returns as a 2005 Champions League winner with Liverpool have been much more welcoming.
“He has to have his own feelings and enjoy it his own way, so I am not going to say how he needs to feel.
“For sure his history is different from mine, he was born and bred in Liverpool, I remember him from a young age in the academy and then coming to the first team and winning the Champions League.
“So he needs to enjoy that moment because it is nice to be back and for him it is going to be nice.”
Trent’s message in tribute of Diogo Jota
Madrid opted to train in Spain before flying out, but after the press conference Alexander-Arnold laid a personal tribute at the temporary Anfield memorial to former team-mate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in July. Dean Huijsen, alongside Alonso and director of football Emilio Butragueno, presented the club’s official one.
In a handwritten message Alexander-Arnold wrote: “My mate Diogo. You are so missed but still so loved. Yours and Andre’s memory will always live on. I smile every time I think about you and will always remember the great times we shared. Miss you mate, every day. Love Trent and family. Forever 20. YNWA”
Alonso’s praise for Florian Wirtz
Alonso also had words of encouragement for a current Liverpool player in Florian Wirtz, who played a key role in Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side winning the Bundesliga in 2024.
The Germany international has struggled since his £100million summer move, but his former manager said: “I have no doubts. It is just a matter of time. It is a big change for him to come to Liverpool after so many years in Germany, he’s been there all his life.
“He is a really special player. He has quality and personality and he’s competitive. It has happened with great players in the Premier League before and I’ve no doubts with Flo.
“He is very special and probably one of the reasons I’m here now (at Real Madrid) so I’m very grateful to Flo. Hopefully not tomorrow, but I’ve no doubt he will show his quality and class.”